Development of a Sustainable Public Awareness Campaign to Prevent Veteran Suicides

Project Description Narrative:

Suicide rates grew nearly one-third from 1999 to 2020, making it the 10th leading cause of death during that period. This project will focus on reducing the high prevalence of suicide, particularly among U.S. military veterans, by implementing sustained public education campaigns on secure firearm storage and suicide prevention in Wisconsin.

The project will develop new public awareness messaging, provide year-round public education programs, evaluate the effectiveness of the campaigns, and form a coalition to sustain these efforts. By promoting the secure storage of firearms and other lethal means, project partners hope to reduce suicide rates among veterans and the broader population in Wisconsin. If successful, this project will increase public awareness and behavior change regarding firearm safety, ultimately leading to a decrease in suicide rates.

Community partners: Wisconsin Broadcasting Association, Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs, Milwaukee VA Medical Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison