Suicide prevention: DOD should enhance oversight, staffing, guidance, and training affecting certain remote installations : report to congressional committees

Suicide prevention: DOD should enhance oversight, staffing, guidance, and training affecting certain remote installations : report to congressional committees

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Alternate Title(s):
DOD should enhance oversight, staffing, guidance, and training affecting certain remote installations: report to congressional committees
Contributor(s):
United States. Government Accountability Office, issuing body.
United States. Congress, issuing body.
Publication:
Washington, DC : United States Government Accountability Office, April 2022
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Government Regulation
Mental Health Services
Military Health -- statistics & numerical data
Policy Making
Suicide Prevention
Suicide -- statistics & numerical data
United States
United States. Department of Defense
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
Why GAO did this study. In 2020, DOD recorded 384 active component suicide deaths, representing a 33.5 percent increase in the suicide rate since 2016. Some of these servicemembers were stationed at remote OCONUS installations, defined by GAO as meeting DOD criteria involving factors such as harsh living conditions and limited resources. In response to a provision in the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, this report examines, among other objectives, the extent to which DOD and the military services have, in relation to remote OCONUS installations (1) collected required suicide incident data, and what is known about the incidence of suicide and related risk factors among servicemembers during 2016-2020; (2) established and ensured implementation of policies, programs, and activities that address suicide prevention; and (3) established guidance and training for key personnel for responding to suicide deaths and attempts. GAO analyzed data, policies, and guidance; reviewed installation-level documents; and interviewed officials from DOD, the military services, and four installations. What GAO Recommends. GAO is making 14 recommendations, including that DOD establish a process to assess suicide risk at remote OCONUS installations, three services establish oversight of installations, and DOD improve guidance and training for commanders. DOD generally concurred with the recommendations and described related actions. GAO believes the recommendations are valid, as discussed in the report.
Copyright:
The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
Extent:
1 online resource (1 PDF file (v, 105 pages))
Illustrations:
Illustrations
NLM Unique ID:
9918434588206676 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9918434588206676