Evaluation of the Overwatch Project for Active-Duty Servicemembers: Suicide Prevention with a Peer-Based Firearms Lethal Means Safety Training Approach.

Abstract

Objective: Death by suicide among U.S. servicemembers is a significant public health concern - firearms are the primary method of suicide for active-duty servicemembers. The Overwatch Project provides peer-based firearms lethal means safety training for servicemembers to mitigate future risk. This study reports on the effectiveness of this training.

Methods: This longitudinal, quasi-experimental and matched-cohort study evaluated the effectiveness of the Overwatch Project by comparing pre-, post-, and two-month follow-up self-report data for active-duty servicemembers who attended the training (Arm1/Overwatch Project, n = 451) and those who did not (Arm2/Comparison Group, n = 451).

Results: Participation in the Overwatch Project training was associated with a significant increase in servicemembers meeting the minimum score on a firearms lethal means safety knowledge assessment (within group; pre-training: 8% vs. post-training: 85%), readiness in executing proactive firearms lethal means safety tasks (between group), creation of a proactive firearms lethal means safety plan for themselves (within group; pre-training: 26% vs. two-month follow-up: 68%), and creation of a similar plan with a peer (within group; pre-training: 26% vs. two-month follow-up: 37%).

Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest that the Overwatch Project peer-based firearms lethal means safety training is a promising step towards reducing firearm suicides among servicemembers.