Learning From Loss. Strengthening Support.
When a service member or veteran dies by suicide, the impact reaches far beyond one person. Families, friends, coworkers, providers, organizations, and communities can all be affected.
- Looking for support? Call 866-4AZ-VETS
- During a life-threatening crisis, call 9-8-8
Veteran Suicide Mortality Review
In the United States, veterans face significantly higher rates of suicide compared to the general population. This trend is particularly pronounced in Arizona, prompting a pioneering response: the creation of the Veteran Suicide Mortality Review (VSMR) Team. This initiative, the first of its kind nationally, underscores a profound commitment to understanding and preventing veteran suicides through case review and analysis. Nicola Winkel, Project Director for the Arizona Coalition for Military Families, serves as Co-Chair.
The Arizona VSMR is a statewide effort focused on learning from veteran suicide deaths in order to strengthen prevention. Through this initiative, a multidisciplinary team carefully reviews veteran suicide deaths, looks for patterns and contributing factors, and identifies opportunities to improve support across Arizona. The insights from this work help guide suicide prevention and postvention efforts for Arizona’s military and veteran community.
VSMR Findings Help Arizonans
Suicide prevention is not only about responding during a crisis. It is also about understanding where support may be needed earlier and how families, organizations, communities, and systems can work together more effectively. Lessons learned from this work help inform efforts to support Arizona’s service members, veterans, and their families.
Training
Social Connections
Postvention
Safe Storage
Expanding Reach
Resource Connections
Learn More About Arizona's VSMR
Read the Annual report
Learn more about the VSMR effort. Reach the Annual Report.
Connect to Support
Further Reading
- Arizona Department of Health Services Suicide Mortality Review TeamÂ
- Blog:Â Postvention & Suicide Mortality Review
- Blog:Â Suicide Mortality Review Team
- Blog: Veteran Suicide Mortality Review
- Free Guide: Be Connected Community Guide to Postvention
