Inside Wounded Warrior Project's Proactive Strategy for Building Suicide-Safer Communities

Body of Abstract: Abstract Title: Inside Wounded Warrior Project’s Proactive Strategy for Building Suicide-Safer Communities
Tracks and Subcategories:
Track: Suicide Prevention
Subcategories: Veteran Mental Health, Community-Based Interventions, Proactive Mental Health Strategies
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Abstract
Research

Aims:
Suicide prevention is a critical aspect of the Wounded Warrior Project’s (WWP) mission, emphasizing a proactive, community-focused approach to support post-9/11 veterans who are at risk of suicide. This session will provide an in-depth overview of Wounded Warrior Project’s comprehensive strategies, including evidence-based protocols, direct programming, and community-driven advocacy, all aimed at enhancing protective factors and mitigating suicide risk. Participants will gain insights into WWP’s Suicide Protocol, which assists in identifying early signs of risk among the 27% of veterans seeking mental health support identified as being at low to moderate risk, facilitating intervention before warriors reach the point of suicide crisis. Attendees can expect to leave equipped with practical strategies to implement proactive, community-centered prevention measures for the populations they serve.

Methods:
This session will review WWP’s comprehensive, evidence-based protocols for suicide prevention, drawing from both quantitative and qualitative data collected through internal programs and veteran testimonials. Participants will be introduced to the key components of the WWP Suicide Protocol, which targets veterans seeking support, but are not yet in acute distress. Data from the program’s assessments will be shared, illustrating how veterans are identified at various levels of suicide risk (low, moderate, and high). The session will also examine the community-based, peer-support elements of WWP’s suicide prevention strategies, highlighting how community-driven advocacy and outreach play a role in early intervention. Furthermore, insights regarding evidence-based training will be provided to complement WWP's approach to suicide prevention. Since 2011, WWP has employed an evidence-based training curriculum developed by LivingWorks. We recognize that being prepared and confident in our ability to engage in conversations about suicide is essential to effective prevention efforts. Finally, WWP’s collaboration with mental health professionals and community stakeholders will be presented as a model for broader, community-centered prevention initiatives.

Conclusions:
The Wounded Warrior Project’s proactive, comprehensive approach to suicide prevention provides a valuable model for other organizations working with veterans and at-risk populations. By identifying early warning signs and intervening before veterans are in crisis, WWP’s methods contribute to a reduction in suicide risk. This model underscores the importance of both individual and community-based strategies for addressing the unique needs of veterans at elevated risk. Attendees will leave the session with practical tools and strategies they can implement in their own communities or organizations to create more supportive, preventive environments for veterans and other high-risk groups. The findings of this presentation highlight the critical importance of early, evidence-based intervention in suicide prevention efforts, emphasizing the need for continuous, proactive care.
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