Suicide Prevention Ar 600-63

AR 600-63, Ch 4

Army Suicide Prevention Program

The success of the
ASPP is predicated on the existence of proactive, caring, and courageous Soldiers, Family members, and Army
civilians who recognize imminent danger and take immediate action to save a life.

(1) Supports the Army’s goal to minimize suicidal behavior by reducing the risk of suicide for Active Army and
Reserve Component Soldiers, Army civilians, and Army Family members. Suicide-prevention programs implement
control measures to address and minimize risk factors for suicide while strengthening the factors that mitigate those
risks.
(2) Establishes a community approach to reduce Army suicides through the function of the CHPCs. The CHPC
integrates multidisciplinary capabilities to assist commanders in implementing local suicide-prevention programs, and
establishes the importance of early identification of, and intervention with problems that detract from personal and unit
readiness.

The ASPP applies to all Soldiers (Active Army and Reserve Components) and Army
civilians.

Suicide prevention is a commander’s program and is the responsibility of every leader.
Leaders care for their personnel and create an environment that encourages help-seeking behaviors. Garrison, Army
Reserve DRU/MSC commanders, and TAGs are responsible for integrating and administering suicide-prevention
programs for their organization.

1.Developing Positive life coping skills

2. Encouraging help-seeking behavior

3. Raising awareness & vigilance of suicide prevention

4. Synchronizing, integrating, and managing the ASPP.

5. Conduct suicide surveillance, analysis, and reporting that keeps senior leaders aware of the problem of suicidal
behavior, track demographic trends that could be helpful in developing or refining ASPP objectives, and immediately
identify events that could potentially raise the level of risk for a segment of the Army.

prevention, intervention, postvention

Prevention focuses on preventing normal life "stressors" from turning into life crises. "Prevention Programming"
focuses on equipping the Soldier, Family member, and Army civilian with coping skills to handle overwhelming life
circumstances. Prevention includes early screening to establish baseline mental health and to offer specific remedial
programs before dysfunctional behavior occurs. Prevention is dependent upon caring and proactive small unit leaders
who make the effort to know their subordinates, including estimating their ability to handle stress, and who offer a
positive, cohesive environment which nurtures and develops positive life-coping skills.

(2) Intervention attempts to prevent a life crisis or mental disorder from leading to thoughts of suicide to help
someone manage suicidal thoughts and take action to intervene when a suicide appears imminent. It encourages and/or
mandates professional assistance to handle a particular crisis or treat a mental illness. Early involvement is a crucial
factor in suicide-risk reduction. Intervention includes alteration of the conditions that produced the current crisis,
treatment of underlying psychiatric disorder(s) that contributed to suicidal thoughts, and follow-up care to assure
problem resolution. This also could include controlling a person’s environment such as removing the means and
enacting watchful care from a buddy. Commanders play an integral part during this phase, as it is their responsibility to
ensure a particular problem or crisis has been resolved before assuming the threat has passed

(2) Intervention attempts to prevent a life crisis or mental disorder from leading to thoughts of suicide to help
someone manage suicidal thoughts and take action to intervene when a suicide appears imminent. It encourages and/or
mandates professional assistance to handle a particular crisis or treat a mental illness. Early involvement is a crucial
factor in suicide-risk reduction. Intervention includes alteration of the conditions that produced the current crisis,
treatment of underlying psychiatric disorder(s) that contributed to suicidal thoughts, and follow-up care to assure
problem resolution. This also could include controlling a person’s environment such as removing the means and
enacting watchful care from a buddy. Commanders play an integral part during this phase, as it is their responsibility to
ensure a particular problem or crisis has been resolved before assuming the threat has passed

At least once a year

5, each with different responsibilities within the aspp

soldiers & army civilian employees

All Army Soldiers will receive yearly basic suicide awareness and prevention training focusing on the
identification of suicide warning and danger signs, and what lifesaving actions they should take. If possible, training should be conducted in small groups.

All Army Soldiers will receive yearly basic suicide awareness and prevention training focusing on the
identification of suicide warning and danger signs, and what lifesaving actions they should take.

Gatekeepers are individuals who, in the performance of their assigned duties and responsibilities,
provide specific counseling to Soldiers and civilians in need.

whose primary duties involve assisting those in need who are more susceptible to suicide ideation

Chaplains

ASAP counselors

Family Advocacy Program Workers

AER Counselors

ER Medical Techs

Medical/Dental Health Professionals

"secondary gatekeepers" (who may have a secondary opportunity to come in contact with a person at risk

Military police

trial defense lawyers and legal assistants

inspectors general

DOD school counselors

red cross workers

first line supervisors