Webinar: Talk Saves Lives: Supporting Our Veterans

Alexander Silva

Alexander served in the United States Air Force from 2011 to 2023 in the Mental Health career field, providing suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention for Active Duty service members. He led training for mental health personnel and developed outreach across base communities. After losing a friend in 2018, he began volunteering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), later piloting a Military and Veteran Engagement role. Drawing on his military experience, he helped expand AFSP’s reach to underserved communities. After 12 years and five assignments, Alexander became AFSP’s first Manager of Military Programs and is now transitioning to civilian life.

Carla Stumpf Patton, EDD, LMHC, NCC, FT, CCTP

Dr. Carla Stumpf Patton, Ed.D., LMHC, NCC, FT, CCTP, an expert in grief, trauma, and suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention, oversees TAPS’ services for suicide-loss survivors. Carla consults with civilian providers and military leaders to provide effective outreach and clinical care to military personnel, veterans, and military families. She is certified as an ASIST trainer in suicide first aid and is qualified to conduct Psychological Autopsy Investigations through the American Association of Suicidology. Carla holds an Ed. D. in counseling psychology, an M.A. in clinical mental health counseling and school guidance counseling, and a B.S. in psychology. Carla is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Certified Fellow Thanatologist, a National Certified Counselor, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, a Florida Qualified Supervisor, and a counseling educator. She is the surviving spouse of Sergeant Richard Stumpf, U.S. Marine Corps, who died by suicide in 1994. She is now married to a retired U.S. Marine, who was also a suicide-loss survivor, and they share five children.