EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - As the holiday season approaches, a time of joy for some but challenges for others, Team Eglin’s Helping Agency Team has resilience awareness resources.
“Our goal is to bring a smile to everyone’s face while reminding them helping agencies are here to support them,” said Lindsey Sharpe, 96th Test Wing Integrated Prevention & Resiliency Office chief. “Even the smallest acts can make a significant difference, especially those stressful times, during the holiday season.”
This base wide commitment to mental health and well-being aligns with the Defense’s ongoing efforts to address suicide prevention, raise awareness, and connect the military community with essential resources.
This year’s recently released report revealed a slight increase in suicides among service members in 2023 with 523 deaths by suicide compared with 493 in 2022. The latest figures reflect an increasing long-term trend in suicide rates for active-duty service members from 2011-2023. The long-term trend remains stable, neither increasing or decreasing, for members of the reserves and National Guard, according to the Defense Department.
Eglin’s helping agencies consist of 26 supporting organizations offering services, including family care, financial support, religious guidance, mental health counseling, and other responsive programs. People can access these resources by visiting the helping agency offices or making a phone call.
For more information, go to Eglin’s Helping Agencies Team website. Additionally, the Veteran’s Crisis Line offers free, confidential support for all service members. Dial 988, then press 1.