A letter from the Editor in Chief

A foreword by Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David A. Flosi

An introduction by Lt Col Christopher J. Button.

By using supportive communication and postvention intelligence assessment, Air Force leaders can hold meaningful conversations about suicide and effectively support Airmen and Guardians in fostering mental well-being and readiness.

The integration of suicide prevention and human performance strategies, root cause analysis, and organizational development offers a comprehensive framework for addressing suicide in the military without increased manning or cost.

The rising demand for mental health services calls for  appropriate support for military clinicians to maintain their and their patients’ well-being. Postvention resources can mitigate the impact and cumulative stress following suicide loss.

A proposed model of meaningful connections that outlines the mechanisms of spiritual fitness represents a new tool for DAF suicide prevention efforts, introducing spirituality as a meaning-making activity vital to warfighter readiness.

By recognizing resiliency in the context of military trauma and stress as emotionally complex and nonlinear, caregivers can promote realistic, improved outcomes for service members and their families.