Suicide Prevention Efforts
The Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services, in partnership with the New Hampshire National Guard, the NH Suicide Prevention Council, other NH State Departments and community providers throughout the state have committed to preventing suicide among Service Members, Veterans and their families.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report (2019), the suicide rate among Veterans is greater than the non-Veteran population, with over 6,000 veterans dying by suicide each year. Despite accounting for just 7.9% of the population, Veterans account for 13.5% of all suicide deaths in the United States.
According to a National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) report and analysis released by the NH Medical Examiner’s Office, a total of 206 deaths by suicide occurred among military-affiliated individuals in New Hampshire during the period spanning 2015-2019. This is equivalent to higher than the national average.
There is no single cause of Veteran and military suicide, but by treating and preventing mental health and substance use conditions, addressing access to lethal means (firearms accounted for 75% of male Veteran suicide deaths and 71% of female Veteran suicide deaths in 2015-2019 in New Hampshire), and empowering Veterans to live and thrive in their communities, we can save lives.
Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans and Their Families
In 2018, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) partnered to advance the strategic implementation of suicide prevention policies and practices for Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF). New Hampshire was selected as 1 of 7 states to participate in the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans and Their Families. Between November 2018 – July 2019, a multi-disciplinary team of 30+ professionals, Service Members and Veterans worked to create a strategic plan for New Hampshire that included best-practices outlined by the VA’s National Strategy for Preventing Veterans Suicide.
In order to ensure sustainability of the work started by the Governor’s Challenge team, the team and its work was absorbed into the NH Suicide Prevention Council beginning in August 2019. The SMVF TA Center funded by SAMHSA and the VA to administer the Governor's Challenge efforts continue to support the Governor's Challenge team efforts in New Hampshire on a monthly basis through free professional development opportunities, opportunities to collaborate with other state teams, consults with subject matter experts, professional facilitation services, conferences and workshops, and other technical assistance.
NH Suicide Prevention Council
As per NH RSA 126-R, the New Hampshire Council on Suicide Prevention (SPC) is charged with the oversight of the implementation of a New Hampshire Suicide Prevention Plan. The most recent available is the 2021-2024 New Hampshire Suicide Prevention Plan. The New Hampshire Suicide Prevention Plan Addendum outlines how the 2021-2024 plan was developed. The purpose of the Council is to ensure the continued effectiveness of the plan by evaluating its implementation, producing progress reports, and recommending program changes, initiatives, funding opportunities, and new priorities to update the plan. The Council also releases an Annual Suicide Report.
The NH Suicide Prevention Council holds meetings that are open to the public 6x/year. Currently, due to COVID-19, all meetings are held virtually. The Council consists of the following committees: Communication, Data Collection & Analysis, First Responders (formerly Law Enforcement), Military & Veterans, Public Policy and Survivors of Suicide Loss.
For more information on the NH Suicide Prevention Council:
https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/about-dhhs/advisory-organizations/suicide-prevention-council
Amy M. Cook, Chair, NH State Suicide Prevention Council
NAMI New Hampshire
Suicide Prevention Project Manager
Suicide Prevention Council (SPC) - Military & Veterans Committee
The SPC - Military & Veterans Committee holds meetings the 1st Wednesday of every month, 2pm-3:30pm. Guests and new members are welcome! A meeting calendar and minutes of prior meetings are provided below.
The SPC - Military & Veterans Committee recommends all professionals who work with Service members and Veterans in helping roles be trained in suicide prevention strategies. The Military Cultural Competence and Suicide Prevention Training Recommendations can point you to a training that meets your needs.
For more information on the NH Suicide Prevention Council - Military & Veterans Committee:
Amy Cook, Co-Chair, SPC - Military & Veterans
NAMI New Hampshire
acook@NAMINH.org
J. Justin Moeling, LICSW; Co-Chair, SPC - Military & Veterans
Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator(CEPC) For Suicide Prevention
Manchester VA Medical Center
(603)203-3641
John.Moeling@va.gov
2024 Meeting Schedule Business Meetings
In-person meetings with a virtual option for those not able to attend in person. An in-person quorum is required.
2PM-3:30PM
Location: NAMI New Hampshire, Peggy Straw Hall, 85 North State Street, Concord, NH 03301
• February 14, 2024* (*2nd Wed due to scheduling conflict)
• April 3, 2024
• June 5, 2024
• August 7, 2024
• October 2, 2024
• December 4, 2024
To Join Business Meetings virtually:
https://naminh-org.zoom.us/j/81211902381?pwd=JRgfeXNo5xuHfHPYLa9OmJfyfrCmqH.1
Meeting ID: 812 1190 2381
Passcode: 903488
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,81211902381#,,,,*903488# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,81211902381#,,,,*903488# US (New York)
Dial by your location
• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
• +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
• +1 646 931 3860 US
• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
• +1 305 224 1968 US
• +1 309 205 3325 US
• +1 564 217 2000 US
• +1 669 444 9171 US
• +1 689 278 1000 US
• +1 719 359 4580 US
• +1 720 707 2699 US (Denver)
• +1 253 205 0468 US
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
• +1 360 209 5623 US
• +1 386 347 5053 US
• +1 507 473 4847 US
Meeting ID: 812 1190 2381
Passcode: 903488
Find your local number: https://naminh-org.zoom.us/u/kdB20494ab
Military & Veterans Committee Community of Practice Virtual Meetings
These meetings will be virtual only (no quorum required), topic-specific, often have a guest speaker, topics will vary and will be announced as they are scheduled.
2PM-3:30PM
• January 3, 2024--topic: Harbor Care presents on their work under the SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant
• March 6, 2024
• May 1, 2024
• July 3, 2024
• September 4, 2024
To Join Community of Practice Meetings:
https://naminh-org.zoom.us/j/83871368085?pwd=UDE6BhUssdKZMN6JI0B7XN8zRa8y8m.1
Meeting ID: 838 7136 8085
Passcode: 118204
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,83871368085#,,,,*118204# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,83871368085#,,,,*118204# US (New York)
Dial by your location
• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
• +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
• +1 646 931 3860 US
• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
• +1 305 224 1968 US
• +1 309 205 3325 US
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
• +1 360 209 5623 US
• +1 386 347 5053 US
• +1 507 473 4847 US
• +1 564 217 2000 US
• +1 669 444 9171 US
• +1 689 278 1000 US
• +1 719 359 4580 US
• +1 720 707 2699 US (Denver)
• +1 253 205 0468 US
Meeting ID: 838 7136 8085
Passcode: 118204
Find your local number: https://naminh-org.zoom.us/u/kPTcgr6SS
If you have any questions about the work of the Committee or the meetings, please contact one of the Co-Chairs.
2022-annual-suicide-prevention-council-report.pdf
SPC-Military & Veterans Committee Meeting Minutes