13 military programs to be honored for outstanding suicide prevention efforts

Thirteen military programs will be honored for their outstanding suicide prevention achievements at the upcoming 2026 Suicide Prevention Recognition Ceremony next month at the Pentagon presented by the Defense Suicide Prevention Office.

The annual Department of War event, scheduled for Sept. 2, recognizes exceptional suicide prevention efforts across the active duty services, National Guard and Reserve, and the U.S. Coast Guard. The 2026 ceremony will spotlight exemplary achievements completed between Oct. 1, 2024, and Sept. 30, 2025, reflecting the commitment and innovation of military programs dedicated to saving lives.

The honored programs prioritize prevention initiatives centered on individual needs, promoting secure storage of firearms and medication, and leveraging real-world data to normalize help-seeking within military life. The following units and organizations are recognized for exceptional leadership in suicide prevention, peer connectedness, and enhancing unit readiness:

• U.S. Army, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade: The brigade enhanced direct support of Soldiers working in aircraft hangars with interactive "walkabouts" and physical "Resiliency Notebooks." It also created an anonymous peer support group to help Soldiers discuss stress without fear of career impacts.
• U.S. Army National Guard, Kentucky Army National Guard: The program created a modern suicide prevention music video that moves past traditional training briefings. This shareable video successfully connected Soldiers and families to critical resources across the state.
• U.S. Army Reserve, 84th Training Command: This command trained leaders to recognize early signs of distress in geographically separated Soldiers. They used sponsor checklists, virtual check-ins, and secure storage tools to achieve zero suicide deaths in fiscal year 2025.
• U.S. Marine Corps, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division: The battalion normalized seeking mental health support by hosting over 30 interactive events, including a "Resiliency Lunch & Learn" series. They also provided incoming Marines with secure storage training and physical gun locks upon arrival at the events.
• U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Marine Forces Reserve, Force Headquarters Group: This unit created informal, rank-inclusive forums called "Vibes are Off" where Marines could openly discuss stress. Their efforts drastically increased self-reporting and helped recruit 15 new peer prevention trainers.
• U.S. Navy, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Portsmouth: The command combined digital innovation with community outreach, launching a mobile app for mental healthcare and hosting base-wide wellness fairs. They also partnered with Operation Homefront to provide support to more than 6,000 military children.
• U.S. Navy Reserve, Navy Reserve Center Minneapolis: This center trained 400 Reserve Component members across 17 units on how to spot early signs of a mental health crisis. They collaborated with fitness leaders and chaplains to build spiritual and mental toughness.
• U.S. Air Force, Headquarters, Air Force District of Washington: The command trained over 300 senior leaders in a supportive postcrisis framework and empowered Airmen to share their personal resilience stories. They also taught leaders how to have comfortable, nonjudgmental conversations about secure firearm storage.
• U.S. Air Force Reserve, Westover Air Reserve Base: The 439th Airlift Wing brought mental health support directly to high-risk career fields, doubling demand for coping sessions for firefighters and distributing secure storage tools. They also expanded unit-level help by training 22 resilience training assistants.
• U.S. Air National Guard, 172nd Airlift Wing: Driven by the commander's clear support, the wing launched a gamified "Helping Hands" scavenger hunt in addition to mindfulness events. These activities successfully showed Airmen of all ranks how to turn self-care into a daily practice.
• U.S. Space Force, Buckley Space Force Base: The base reached 25,000 community members through targeted leadership briefings, secure storage education, and a Veterans Suicide Awareness Ruck March. Suicide response teams at Buckley also supported survivors by providing therapeutic art resources.
• U.S. Coast Guard, Base Boston Workforce and Family Services and Leadership Development Center: Operating at the local level, Base Boston completed over 260 outreach initiatives to support 4,000 personnel. The center then integrated these real-world lessons directly into training pipelines for 1,300 future U.S. Coast Guard leaders.
• U.S. Coast Guard, Station Golden Gate: The station used its unique bridge-recovery mission to help secure a new physical bridge barrier and overhaul emergency response protocols. They also hosted an awareness walk for 400 first responders and provided daily, low-barrier support to the crew.

“We are very excited to formally recognize this year’s award recipients,” said Dr. Alicia Matteson, acting director of the Defense Suicide Prevention Office. “Their efforts and resourcefulness create changes that will leave a positive impact on military members and their families.”

Confidential and professional crisis support is available 24/7 to service members, veterans, and military families:

• Call: Dial 988, then press 1 to reach the Veterans/Military Crisis Line.
• Text: Send a text to 838255.
• Chat Online: Visit https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat.
• Resources: Download 2026 Suicide Prevention Month campaign materials at DSPO.mil.

DSPO serves as the primary coordinator of suicide prevention policy, evaluates the effectiveness and strategic integration of suicide prevention programs and research, and is the authoritative source for suicide data throughout the DOW.