The Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee (SPRIRC): Translating Recommendations Into Actions.

Area of Science:

• Military Health
• Suicidology
• Implementation Science

Background:

• Numerous recommendations for reducing suicide in the U.S. Armed Forces have been made over two decades.
• However, a significant gap exists between these recommendations and their full implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and assess suicide prevention policies and procedures within the Department of Defense (DoD).
• To identify and prioritize actionable recommendations for reducing military suicide.
• To determine feasibility, impact, and resourcing for proposed suicide prevention initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Formation of a Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee in 2022.
• Consideration of over 400 recommendations from various DoD sources.
• Assessment of 127 recommendations by an implementation working group for feasibility and impact.

Main Results:

• DoD leadership approved 111 actions for budget consideration.
• These actions are aligned with 5 lines of effort focused on suicide reduction.
• 83 recommendations were funded starting in fiscal year 2025.

Conclusions:

• Broader agency concerns are significant barriers to system-wide change in the DoD.
• Prioritizing impactful actions and using data can inform resourcing decisions.
• A deliberative process of prioritization, funding, and adoption is crucial for implementing suicide prevention recommendations in the military.