SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 — September is National Suicide Prevention Month and leaders at Moody Air Force Base are working to ensure Airmen, civilians and families have access to the support they need by expanding crisis care across the installation.
The observance highlighted Moody’s access to the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline mobile crisis team while emphasizing connection, early intervention and the shared responsibility of looking out for others across the installation.
“This is our new method moving forward to taking care of the Moody family,” said Col. Stephen Joca, 23d Fighter Group commander. “It’s our shared responsibility that this echoes down to every echelon in our formation.”
Civilians and dependents experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis now have direct access to the 988 mobile crisis team, reducing steps previously required to connect them with crisis care.
“In the past, if a Moody family member was in crisis, we referred them off base, and then once we got through that, they would call 988,” Joca said. “There was a middleman, and it slowed the process down and stopped us from having the absolute best and quickest care. That wasn’t good enough.”
While the expanded capability provides another avenue for professional assistance, Joca emphasized that resources are only one part of suicide prevention. Personal connection remains equally important.
“When people feel seen, they feel heard, and when they’re heard, they’re valued and recognize that their life is worth living,” Joca said. “988 is the structural piece to that. The next piece is the human piece.”
Christina Kersey, an Integrated Resilience Office prevention specialist and one of the project officers for Moody’s Suicide Prevention Month events, said strengthening that human connection begins with normalizing conversations
about mental health and making sure people know seeking help is encouraged.
“We don’t want people to feel like getting help is a sign of weakness,” Kersey said. “We want people to get help when they need it.”
Building relationships with coworkers and wingmen can also make it easier to recognize when someone may be struggling. Although isolation, withdrawal and giving away possessions can be warning signs, Kersey said changes may not always be obvious. Relationship challenges and legal or financial problems can also create significant stress in someone’s life.
When Airmen notice a change in someone’s behavior or circumstances, Kersey encourages them to use the Air Force’s ACE model: Ask, Care and Escort. The first step is being willing to ask someone directly how they are doing and whether they are experiencing suicidal ideations.
“I think a lot of times people feel like they have to solve everybody’s problems in one take, but that’s not the case,” Kersey said. “Just taking the initiative to say, ‘Hey, I notice something’s a little off,’ goes a very long way with somebody.”
Showing care can be as simple as listening without minimizing what the other person is experiencing. Airmen do not need to have every answer or try to solve the situation themselves. Instead, they can help connect the individual with someone equipped to provide additional support.
Supporting Airmen before their challenges reach a crisis point can also have a direct effect on readiness. Personal difficulties involving relationships, family, finances or mental health can follow Airmen into the workplace and affect their ability to perform.
“If the people are not taken care of on the front end, the mission is not going to get done well,” Kersey said. “Taking care of your mind helps take care of the overall mission.”
Resources available at Moody include the mental health clinic, chaplain’s office, Military and Family Life Counselors, True North providers, Military OneSource and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Civilian employees also have access to support through the Employee Assistance Program.
“Everybody is valuable, not just for the mission, but for life in general,” Kersey said. “Your life is valuable no matter what avenue you take. If you’re having mental turmoil, get the help you need.”
Courtesy Story
23rd Wing