Suicide Prevention Conference call for abstracts

The health and well-being of the nation’s service members and Veterans continues to be a top priority for VA and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). We are partnering again this year to host the 2024 VA/DoD Suicide Prevention Conference, the nation’s only conference dedicated to addressing military and Veteran suicide prevention.

The conference is scheduled to be held July 16–18 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.

Guided by the National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide and Department of Defense Strategy for Suicide Prevention, VA and DoD care teams, leaders, allies and subject matter experts from across the country are invited to come together and share comprehensive and public health-based strategies to prevent suicide nationwide. Submit your abstract today.

Increasing the reach

This year’s theme—”Reimagining Suicide Prevention: Evolving and Innovating to Meet Diverse Needs”—focuses on innovative ways to reach at-risk service members and Veteran populations. This especially includes historically underserved and growing populations, such as Women, LGBTQ+, American Indian and Alaskan Native, and others.

We are seeking abstracts that address one or more of the following strategic directions:

1. Increasing the knowledge of and ability to engage with current effective practices and evidence-based approaches to prevent suicide. 
2. Increasing awareness of clinical and community prevention, intervention and postvention strategies, tools and programs that will enhance equitable, and inclusive population access.
3. Increasing the ability to promote innovative, sustainable strategies and interventions that meet the current and future needs of all Veterans, service members and those who support them. 

Submit your abstract today

The due date for abstract submissions is March 4 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Go to the Conference Platform to submit your abstract.

Questions and contact

Look for more detailed conference information in the coming weeks. If you have any questions, email VADoDSuicidePreventionConf@va.gov.

• Learn more about the efforts of VA’s Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and related resources.
• Learn more about DoD suicide prevention efforts and the Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO).

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Dial 988 then Press 1, text to 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.