USAF Suicide Prevention Program and Limited Privilege
Consequences When Suicides Occur
Multiple Serious Consequences
When suicides occur in the USAF, they result in a number of serious consequences:
- Loss of human life
- Grief and loss to the deceased's family, friends, co-workers, and military community
- Direct impact on mission capability through loss of the deceased's skills, experience, and productivity
Shared Responsibility
Everyone's Responsibility
While suicide prevention is the responsibility of every Airman, the USAF has identified that leadership support and action across all levels of command are critical to the goal of reducing suicide in the USAF.
Leadership's Role
Leadership Builds Environment
Military and civilian leaders will build an environment that:
- Promotes healthy and adaptive behaviors
- Fosters the wingman culture
- Encourages responsible help-seeking actions of all Airmen
Limited Privilege Suicide Prevention Program
Limited Privilege Program
In an effort to promote help-seeking actions by Airmen who are experiencing legal or administrative problems, the USAF instituted the Limited Privilege Suicide Prevention Program in accordance with AFI 44-172, *Mental Health*.
What It Provides
Added Confidentiality
The program provides an added layer of confidentiality that allows Airmen who are under investigation to receive mental health care without the risk of information disclosed during treatment being used to incriminate them in the future.
Why It Matters
At-Risk Population
This is important since Airmen who are under investigation for legal problems are at significantly elevated risk for suicide and other negative outcomes.
Provider Confidentiality Boundaries
DoDI 6490.08 Reporting
Mental health providers are required by DoDI 6490.08, *Command Notification Requirements to Dispel Stigma in Providing Mental Health Care to Service Members*, to disclose to commanders:
- Safety issues (suicidal or violent thoughts or self-injurious behavior)
- Fitness for duty issues
What Stays Confidential
All Other Information Confidential
All other information is confidential.