Suicide Prevention & Postvention

Resources for Organizations and Providers

TAPS Suicide Postvention Model^TM

Over the last decade, TAPS postvention professionals have developed a field-leading, best-practice approach to care we call the TAPS Suicide Postvention Model^TM. This three-phase model of support has provided hope and healing to thousands of suicide loss survivors.

The Model stabilizes survivors in the aftermath of a loss, guides them onto a health-promoting grief journey, and paves the way for achieving posttraumatic growth. Stabilization focuses on identifying and addressing suicide-specific issues that may complicate the grief journey. Grief work is the process of identifying grief as love and finding positive ways to integrate these emotions into one’s life. Posttraumatic growth is the process of creating positive change for oneself after facing such devastating loss.

A January 2021 peer-reviewed article in the scholarly journal Death Studies lays out the Model in detail. "TAPS Suicide Postvention Model^TM: A comprehensive framework of healing and growth" discusses the history of the TAPS postvention program, anchors the Model in theory and clinical best practices, and describes in detail how the phases and tasks of the Model should be applied.

The TAPS Suicide Postvention Model^TM has become a crucial component of the suicide prevention strategies of other organizations. In some cases, the Model has been relied on to provide a critical foundation for the postvention approaches, resources, and toolkits of our partners. These include but are not limited to the U.S. Defense Department's Postvention Toolkit for a Military Suicide Loss and recommendations to the International Association of Chiefs of Police by the National Consortium for Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide.

The TAPS Suicide Postvention Model^TM is useful to all organizations outside the realm of the military and veteran communities. It is also applicable to forms of loss beyond suicide.

To learn more about the TAPS three-part Postvention Model or to contact one of our professionals for a consultation, please contact us at 202-588-8277 or suicidepostvention@taps.org.

kim ruocco, kim burditt and carla stumpf-patton

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Suicide Prevention & Postvention

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To learn more about the TAPS three-part Postvention Model or to contact one of our professionals for a consultation, email suicidepostvention@taps.org.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

TAPS staff are certified in ASIST, which teaches students to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and how to respond. For training, email suicidepostvention@taps.org.

Too Close for Comfort: Mental Health and Wellness During Changing Family Dynamics

Listen to professionals advise on how to navigate managing a stay at home family while taking care of yourself during this pandemic.

mom and child looking at photo of loved one

Intimate Partners and Suicide: Finding Hope When the Unthinkable Happens

Learn eight practical ways that healers of all types can use to support partners who have lost a loved one to suicide.

Suicide, Grief and Trauma: Supporting Veterans and Families of the Fallen

Discover common barriers that may prevent veterans and military family members from discussing their experiences of grief and loss.

Grief to Growth: A Roadmap to a Healthy Grief Journey

Get insight into helping suicide loss survivors find new meaning and purpose as they progress along their healing journey.

Understanding Why People Die by Suicide

Examine the risk factors that can come together to form the “perfect storm” that leads to suicide. This knowledge can help survivors heal.

PsychArmor Institute Trainings

PsychArmor Institute portfolio provides vital education and information about Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention for all audiences.

TAPS Suicide Prevention & Postvention Team

Kim Ruocco

Kim Ruocco, MSW

Vice President
Suicide Prevention & Postvention

Kim is an internationally known subject matter expert who uses her education, personal experience and information gathered from thousands of survivors to help others more fully understand suicide. She is the surviving spouse of Marine helicopter pilot Major John Ruocco, who died by suicide in 2005.

Carla Stumpf-Patton

Carla Stumpf-Patton, EdD, LMHC, NCC, FT, CCTP

Senior Director
Suicide Postvention

Dr. Stumpf Patton is a subject matter expert in the areas of grief, trauma, and suicide.She holds an Ed.D. in Education Counseling Psychology and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Certified Fellow Thanatologist and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Carla is the surviving spouse of Marine Sgt. Richard Stumpf.

Matt Mabe

Director of Strategic Operations
Suicide Prevention & Postvention

Matt directs strategy and oversees operations for a team of grief professionals who provide hope and healing to thousands of military suicide loss survivors. A former Army engineer officer and veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, Matt holds a B.S. from West Point and masters degrees from Columbia Journalism School and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Kim Burditt

Senior Manager, Programs & Logistics
Suicide Postvention

Kim has planned and executed a wide range of TAPS events, including the TAPS National Military Suicide Survivor Seminar each year. After the suicide death of her only sibling, USMC veteran Jon Hoffman, Kim's heart is in caring for loss survivors, especially those touched by suicide. She is currently pursuing a masters in social work.

Jennifer Keeling

Senior Coordinator
Suicide Prevention & Postvention

Jennifer coordinates postvention projects like the TAPS National Military Suicide Survivor Seminar, Home Hase Intensive Clinical Programs, and psychological autopsies. Since losing her husband of 17 years, 1SG Ronald Keeling in 2009, Jennifer has had a desire to support and care for all loss survivors by walking alongside them on their grief journeys.