August 27-29 • Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) will conduct their biennial suicide prevention conference on Aug. 27-29 in Nashville, Tenn. This event is the nation's only conference that specifically addresses suicide within the Service member and Veteran populations. This year's theme -- Many Roles. One Mission. -- emphasizes that everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide among Service members and Veterans.

VA leaders will be available for interviews during the conference.

The 2019 VA/DoD Suicide Prevention Conference will bring together subject matter experts, allies, advocates, leaders, and other federal and nonfederal stakeholders to share the latest training materials, research findings, policy updates, and best practices for advancing suicide prevention efforts nationwide.

According to an article by Patricia Kime published earlier this year on MIlitary.com, the nation's service branches finished 2018 with the highest number of suicides among active-duty personnel in at least six years. The article states: "A total of 321 active-duty members took their lives during the year, including 57 Marines, 68 sailors, 58 airmen, and 138 soldiers. The deaths equal the total number of active-duty personnel who died by suicide in 2012, the record since the services began closely tracking the issue in 2001."

There are a number of resources the VA makes available to those in crisis. Although the Nashville conference has sold out, more information on the event's speakers and program is available here.