Bridging the Gaps: A DOTMLPF-P Assessment of Suicide Intervention and Prevention Efforts Across the Military

Abstract

Suicide within the Department of Defense (DoD) is a persistent and complex problem despite the numerous prevention programs, policy reforms, and increased behavioral health resources. This study hypothesizes that current suicide prevention efforts are limited by inconsistent implementation and insufficient integration of programs across the DoD. Using the DOTMLPF-P framework, this study conducts a comparative analysis of suicide prevention efforts across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Information was gathered from DoD suicide reports, Government Accountability Office findings, RAND research, Service level doctrine, and existing program evaluations. The analysis found that suicide prevention efforts across the Services operate as parallel systems rather than a unified prevention program. Prevention efforts are strongest after suicide risk becomes observable. Significant gaps were identified in leadership education, organizational coordination, personnel distribution, training design, and coordination between clinical and non-clinical prevention systems. The findings suggest that suicide prevention in the DoD functions as a reactive system rather than a preventative one. Recommendations include strengthening early intervention capabilities, standardizing prevention implementation across the Services, and integrating more efficient prevention methods that increase integration across DOTMLPF-P domains for a more proactive suicide prevention system.