Military and veteran families affected by suicidality

There is a strong imperative to come up with practical and practicable guidance as to how military, Veteran, and public safety families could be brought to the fore in occupational suicide prevention. Funded by the Atlas Institute for Veterans and their Families, this research examines the intersection of families and suicidality, with a particular focus on military, Veteran, and public safety personnel. Through a series of manuscripts and innovative knowledge-sharing activities, we are building a more comprehensive understanding of where and how families intersect with suicide prevention efforts. Some of this work has already been published, including a scoping review of how military and Veteran families are represented in international suicide prevention research. Ongoing projects include analyses of suicide prevention policies, a cross-country comparison of suicide prevention policy involving military and veteran families, and a systematic review to identify trends and gaps in suicidality research involving police families. 

In parallel, we are launching a Deliberative Dialogue Series to foster collaborative thinking and action. This five-part series will bring together academics, service providers, and individuals with lived experiences to examine families and suicide from multiple perspectives. Participants will explore critical topics, including what it means to adopt a family-centered approach to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. The series will also examine the tensions surrounding memorialization practices for suicide deaths, striving to balance institutional protocols and with the needs of military, defence, and public safety families. Discussions will also address methodological innovations necessary to enhance research and improve prevention and intervention strategies. Ultimately, these dialogues aim to identify promising practices and actionable steps to support military, Veteran, and public safety families facing the challenges of suicidality. 

By combining rigorous research and meaningful dialogue, together these projects aim to deepen our understanding of how military, defence and public safety family navigate the immensely difficult experience of suicidality and provide practical insights to guide policies, programs, and future research.