Army promotion Board 2021: Suicide Prevention AR 600-63

AR 600-63

Army Suicide Prevention Program

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.

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.

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.

Developing Positive life coping skills

• Encouraging help-seeking behavior

• Raising awareness & vigilance of suicide prevention

• Synchronizing, integrating, and managing the ASPP.

• Conduct suicide surveillance, analysis, and reporting that keeps senior leaders aware of the problem

prevention, intervention, posttension

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.

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.

At least once a year

5, each with different responsibilities within the aspp

Soldiers and Army civilians

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.

Primary gatekeeper duties involve assisting those in need who are more susceptible to suicide ideation.
Primary Gatekeepers are Chaplains, ASAP counselors, Family Advocacy Program Workers, AER Counselors, ER Medical Techs, and Medical/Dental Health Professionals

“Secondary gatekeepers” (who may have a secondary opportunity to come in contact with a person at risk), such as Military police, trial defense lawyers and legal assistants, inspectors general, DOD school counselors, red cross workers, first line supervisors