Resilience is the ability to adapt well to adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or even significant sources of stress according to the American Psychological Association.  No career puts more of a demand on that ability than military life – not just for those who wear a uniform but also for their family members and civilians who work alongside them.  This website is dedicated to helping our Airmen and Space Professionals and their families thrive by enhancing personal well-being, optimizing human performance, and promoting a culture of dignity and respect for all.

Family Suicide Prevention Training

 

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This educational program uses a fictional story to help viewers recognize warning signs of distress. It also provides training to help viewers understand different options for intervening, along with available resources, and helps viewers appreciate the importance of being proactive and developing strong protective factors.

Click here for the video training.

Featured Article

"The Department of the Air Force knows the importance of resilience and taking care of families, who are often the first to sense distress in their Airmen. They are also the key to finding potential solutions to prevent suicide and other issues associated with interpersonal and self-directed violence.” 

Department of the Air Force Spouses listen to briefings from several base agencies during an immersion tour at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 24, 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shannon Bowman)

 

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) --

Department of the Air Force family suicide prevention training is now available as a way to educate spouses, partners, adult family members, and loved ones on the signs and symptoms of suicide. The new online training video, Equipping Family Members to Help Airmen in Distress, aims to build and strengthen relationships and connectedness among family members and loved ones.  Continue reading

Multimedia

Everyone feels stress. Sometimes, though, even everyday challenges may seem overwhelming. But you are not alone. As an Air and Space Professional, you are surrounded by people who care, and there is always someone who wants to listen. For those of you who are feeling under stress, reach out to your first line supervisor, your chaplain, your spouse, your fellow Wingman. And, if you recognize signs of distress in your friend, a family member or a colleague, make sure you show how you care.

How Do You Care?

Everyone feels stress. Sometimes, though, even everyday challenges may seem overwhelming. But you are not alone. As an Air and Space Professional, you are surrounded by people who care, and there is always someone who wants to listen.
Senior Master Sgt. Danny South is open about the tremendous challenges he and his family have faced in the past few years. He speaks about that experience and how it has helped him become a better leader and a better listener when it comes to supporting his Airmen. (South is an C-17 Evaluator/Loadmaster Squadron Superintendent at JB Charleston.)

SMSgt. Danny South

Resilience, Leadership and Connection
Air University production about suicide prevention during COVID-19.

Dr. Mary Bartlett

Air University production about suicide prevention during COVID-19.
SMSgt Sarah Cornelius (Lakland AFB) faced mental health issues after the unexpected loss of her Navy brother.

Finding Strength

SMSgt Sarah Cornelius (Lakland AFB) faced mental health issues after the unexpected loss of her Navy brother.

Senior Leadership

Brigadier General Claude K. Tudor Jr

Brig Gen Claude K. Tudor Jr.

Brig. Gen. Claude K. Tudor Jr. is the Director of Air Force Resilience under the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Arlington, Va. He is responsible for providing strategic solutions that maximize resilience and normalize help-seeking behavior as strength, and for delivering the most effective prevention and response to interpersonal and self-directed violence through engaging Airmen and their families early, and pushing professional help to our Airmen in their units. He served previously as the Commander, 24th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida. Tudor was commissioned through the ROTC program at Troy State University and has spent the majority of his career in special operations ground combat assignments deploying extensively.

Chief Master Sergeant Mary Polanco

Chief Master Sergeant Mary F. Polanco

Chief Master Sergeant Mary F. Polanco is the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Air Force Resilience Directorate, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon. She is the principal enlisted advisor to the Director on all matters relating to the strategic planning, research and development, and implementation of Air Force resiliency programs to optimize Airman Performance. In 2002, Chief Polanco cross-trained from the Security Forces career field into the medical field as an Ophthalmic Technician, where she has served in various leadership positions for the Optometry clinics. Prior to assuming her current position, Chief Polanco served as an Enlisted Legislative Fellow in a full-time assignment on the staff of a United States Senator.

We'd Like to Hear From You!

Please note our office does not provide crisis services. If you or someone you know is in crisis or has an emergency, please call 911, or contact the Military/Veteran Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255.  Additional resources:  Military One Source 1-800-342-9647 or for sexual assault, the DoD Safe Helpline 1-877-995-5247.

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Air Force, or the Department of Defense, of the external Web site, or the information, products or services contained therein.