Society & Culture / Family & Lifestyle / Mental Health & Emotions

Suicide Postvention: How the US Military Handles Tragedy

When a service member dies by suicide, the impact ripples through an entire unit and community. What steps can leadership take immediately after a loss to prevent further tragedy and support those left behind? Based on the landmark report Suicide Postvention in the Department of Defense by the RAND Corporation—a renowned nonprofit research institution dedicated to rigorous public policy analysis, authored by defense health researchers including Joie D. Acosta and Rajeev Ramchand—this presentation examines how the military manages the aftermath of suicide. It details practical postvention frameworks designed to mitigate trauma, combat stigma, coordinate mental health resources, and prevent contagion across military installations.