DHA
From Acting DHA Director, Dr. David Smith: Suicide Prevention
Teammates,
Suicide remains a leading cause of death in the United States, and an enduring challenge within the Department of Defense.
Within our military communities, we know that challenges like deployments, family separation, financial stressors, combat experiences, the transition to civilian life, and workload can significantly impact mental and emotional well-being.
I want to reinforce a crucial message: Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
The federal government, the Department of Defense, and the Military Health System have developed resources and tools to help individuals and families with managing their mental health. We’ve made important strides in breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health care and ensuring you and those we serve have access to all available resources.
This email outlines the many resources available to you, your family, your team members, and our patient population.
Immediate support (if you or someone you know is in crisis):
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, text, or chat 988 anytime for immediate, confidential support.
- Military Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text 838255, or chat at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/.
- Emergency Services: If you feel you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Behavioral health resources:
- inTransition Program: Provides confidential, specialized support for service members, veterans, and their families seeking mental healthcare.
- Psychological Health Resource Center (PHRC): Offers information and resources on psychological health concerns for service members, veterans, and their families.
- Military OneSource: Provides a wide range of free and confidential resources, including counseling, financial assistance, and legal support, in addition to TRICARE services.
- Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR): Offers recreational activities and programs that can promote well-being and build social connections.
- Chaplains: Provide confidential counseling and spiritual guidance.
- Substance Use Disorder Programs: Offers support and treatment for substance use disorders.
- TRICARE Mental Health Services: Information about mental health coverage and finding providers.
Supporting a Teammate:
If you notice a teammate struggling, here’s how you can help:
- Start a private conversation: Let them know you’re concerned and available to listen without judgment. Show empathy and create a safe space for them to share. Sometimes, simply listening and validating their feelings can make a significant difference.
- Encourage professional help: Suggest they consider speaking with a Military and Family Life Counselor (MFLC) or a mental health professional. Reassure them that seeking help is a sign of strength.
- Emphasize confidentiality: Remind them that many resources offer confidential support.
- Offer resource suggestions: Share information about financial counseling, behavioral health, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (see more information below), or chaplain services.
- Promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Remind them that immediate help is available 24/7 by calling, texting, or chatting 988.
- Follow up: Check in with your teammate regularly to see how they are doing and offer ongoing support.
- Be brave: Don’t be afraid to alert their chain of command, family, or someone else in a position to influence them to seek help.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
The DHA offers a confidential EAP for civilians, managed by Magellan Ascend Federal, which is available 24/7/365 at 866-580-9046. Contact them for support with:
- Counseling Services: Addressing financial issues, legal concerns (estate planning, family law, etc.), and credit restoration.
- Senior Care Management: Assessing caregiving needs and recommending appropriate solutions.
- Online Programs: Accessing self-guided programs for stress management, resilience building, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and substance misuse.
- Monthly Live Webinars: Participating in free webinars on relevant topics. Recordings are available on the Magellan Ascend website within 10 business days.
One life lost to suicide is too many. We are all in this together. Please look after yourselves and your teammates.
V/R Dave
David J. Smith, M.D.
Acting Director, Defense Health Agency
A Message from Acting DHA Director, Dr. David Smith: DHA’s Spring 2025 Hospital Safety Grades Are In!
Teammates,
The Defense Health Agency continues to partner with the Leapfrog Group – one of many avenues in which we transparently share our performance and compare ourselves to other hospitals and health systems across the country.
On May 1st, Leapfrog released their Spring 2025 Hospital Safety Grades. These grades are based on national standards for hospital safety and highlight risks that patients may face in a health care setting, including preventable medical errors and infections.
We show excellent performance measured against our peers, and against ourselves over time. In the Spring 2025 ratings, 32% of participating hospitals in the United States received the highest grade. Of the eligible military hospitals participating in the grading assessment, 73% received an “A” grade. And this 73% mark is up from 43% of our facilities receiving an “A” in Spring 2024.
The 16 military hospitals that received an “A” grade in Spring 2025 are:
· 81st Medical Group, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi
· 673d Medical Group, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
· Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center, Fort Belvoir, Virginia
· Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Fort Campbell, Kentucky
· Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
· Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Cavazos, Texas
· Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Eisenhower, Georgia
· Evans Army Community Hospital, Fort Carson, Colorado
· Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
· Martin Army Community Hospital, Fort Benning, Georgia
· Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
· Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Virginia
· Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California
· Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
· William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Fort Bliss, Texas
· U.S. Naval Hospital Guam, Guam
Our published article is available on dha.mil at: https://dha.mil/News/2025/05/01/16/50/Sixteen-Military-Hospitals-Receive-Leapfrogs-Highest-Safety-Grade.
As in the past, there are some participating MTFs who would have received an “A” grade, but the volume of care didn’t allow them to be publicly reported due to the minimum reporting requirements. Those hospitals include:
- Winn Army Community Hospital, Fort Stewart, Georgia
- U.S. Navy Hospital Rota, Spain
- Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital, Fort Johnson, Louisiana
- 374th Medical Group, Yokota Air Base, Japan
- General L. Wood Army Community Hospital, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
- Irwin Army Community Hospital, Fort Irwin, California
- U.S. Naval Hospital Naples, Italy
- 88th Medical Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
- Brian D. Allgood Army Community Hospital, Korea
- U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella, Italy
There is a lot of effort at the MTF, DHN, and DHA Headquarters level to collect, validate and report this data – but it’s worth it. To our medical teams, to our leaders in the Department, and most of all – to our patients.
Thank you all for your commitment to high quality and safe care in the Military Health System…it shows every day!
V/R, Dave
Dr. David Smith, M.D.
Acting Director, Defense Health Agency
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