The Challenge and the Promise: Strengthening the Force, Preventing Suicide and Saving Lives. Final Report of the Department of Defense Task Force on the Prevention of Suicide by Members of the Armed Forces

Abstract : As directed by Section 733 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2009, the Secretary of Defense established a Task Force "to examine matters relating to the prevention of suicide by members of the Armed Forces." The Department of Defense Task Force on the Prevention of Suicide by Members of the Armed Forces was created and comprised of seven DoD and seven non-DoD professionals with expertise in national suicide prevention, clinical care in mental health, military chaplaincy and pastoral care, and military families. The report explains the evolution of suicide prevention programs within each of the Services and at the enterprise level with DoD. The Task Force arrived at 49 findings and 76 associated recommendations which are discussed within the body of the full report.