Life after loss
Survivor experience
Understand grief, well-being, connection, coping, and the realities survivors face after a military or veteran suicide loss.
TAPS National Suicide Loss Survivor Survey
Share Your Voice. Help Shape the Future of Suicide Postvention.
If you are an adult survivor of the suicide death of a military service member or veteran, we invite you to participate in an important national research study.
Your experiences can help improve suicide prevention and reduction, strengthen postvention services, and guide future care for military and veteran families.
Take the National Survey♥ Your well-being comes first. Every question is optional, and you may stop at any time.
Your TAPS family is here 24/7
If completing the survey brings up difficult emotions, compassionate care and survivor peer-based emotional support are always available through the TAPS National Helpline at 1.800.959.TAPS (8277).
About the study
Created to listen to and learn from survivors
The TAPS National Suicide Loss Survivor Survey invites military and veteran suicide loss survivors to share their experiences and perspectives. The study will explore survivor well-being, the support and services that helped, opportunities to improve care, and what survivors want military, veteran, clinical, and community systems to understand.
The study is led by the TAPS Research and Impact team in partnership with the University of Memphis research team, led by Dr. David Rudd. Findings will inform future TAPS programming, peer-reviewed publications, policy recommendations, and national suicide prevention, reduction, and postvention initiatives.
Why this research matters
Survivor voices belong at the center of this work
What survivors share can guide future care and strengthen suicide prevention, reduction, and postvention for military and veteran families.
Who should participate
Eligible survivors
Participation is entirely voluntary. Completing the survey will not affect TAPS care or support.
- 18+Adults age 18 or older
- LossSurvivors of the suicide death of a military service member or veteran
- OnlineAble to complete a secure online survey
What we hope to learn from survivors
Care and connection
Support that helped
Learn which services, resources, and survivor peer connections made a meaningful difference.
Survivor guidance
Changes survivors recommend
Identify survivor-informed ways to improve prevention, reduction, postvention, and support across systems.
Learning from survivors
What families want us to know
Learn from the full range of survivor experiences, including what families noticed, needed, and wish had been available.
Frequently asked questions
What survivors should know before participating
- How long does the survey take?
- Approximately 12–25 minutes.
- Can I skip questions?
- Yes. Every question is optional, and you may stop at any time.
- Is the survey confidential?
- Yes. Responses are confidential and de-identified for analysis.
- Will participating affect TAPS services?
- No. Participation has no impact on receiving TAPS care or support.
Ready when you are
Every story shared has the potential to improve care, policy, and support for others.
Questions about the study? Contact Research@TAPS.org or call 1.800.959.TAPS (8277).
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
Compassionate care. Comprehensive resources. For as long as needed.