SAFEGUARD: Transforming Military Suicide Prevention Through Predictive Analytics and Targeted Interventions
Machine learning predictive modeling can support scalable prevention of suicide-related behavior (SRB). SAFEGUARD is a three-pronged universal, indicated, and clinical SRB-prevention intervention system focused on key military career touchpoints. The targeted SAFEGUARD interventions are designed to improve on the mixed results of universal interventions. Level Up uses digital tools, personalized messaging, and remote booster sessions to deliver customized universal military-focused cognitive behavioral therapy skills training designed to reduce SRBs during first duty assignments. Operation Life Force delivers remote group dialectical behavior therapy skills training with a mental toughness focus to soldiers identified during annual physicals as high-risk for SRBs. Pathfinding delivers remote wrap-around case management after psychiatric inpatient discharge to soldiers identified as high-risk for SRBs. SAFEGUARD is a data-driven system for SRB prevention that delivers targeted best-practice interventions at critical points to optimize impact and efficiently use mental health resources across the military.
Authors
- Joseph C. Geraci (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6070-6812)
- Daniel B. Herman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1275-784X)
- Thomas H. Nassif (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2263-013X)
- Evan M. Kleiman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8002-1167)
- Vincent F. Capaldi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2235-6350)
- Brandon A. Gaudiano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1843-4910)
- Christopher M. Paine
- Timothy Regan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9886-8809)
- Marianne Goodman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5465-9527)
- Bonomi Robin
- Rebecca G. Fortgang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5388-3386)
- Jenny D’Olympia
- Amy B. Adler
- Emily R. Edwards
- Kate H. Bentley
- Sarah Maggio
- James A. Naifeh
- Ronald C. Kessler
- John Torous
- Robert D. Atkinson
- Allison McDaniel
- Matthew K. Nock
Institutions
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (US)
- The Graduate Center, CUNY (US)
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation (US)
- Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (US)
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- William James College (US)
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (US)
- City University of New York (US)
- Providence College (US)
- Brown University (US)
- Butler Hospital (US)
- Yale University (US)
- Hunter College (US)
- Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center (US)
- Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers (US)
- Department of Veterans Affairs (AU)
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (US)
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Current Psychiatry Reports
- Published
- 2026-02-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-026-01664-6
- Primary Topic
- Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00