Military Award Ceremony Indoors
move beyond reactive intervention

Connect – Strengthening the Bonds That Protect

The Connect Program builds cohesive and healthy military, police, and first responder teams. Tested in a gold-standard randomized controlled trial (Wyman et al. 2020, 2022) with military personnel, this upstream prevention program is proven to reduce depression, suicide risk, and work-related problems. The Connect Program is adaptable for other military and police units. Evaluations are underway in healthcare, religious communities, and youth sports.

Connect reduces hidden suicide risk (Wyman et al, 2020, 2022), and creates a supportive environment that naturally protects vulnerable individuals, allowing team leaders to care for their people through systemic support rather than relying solely on individual detection and intervention.

STRENGTHEN YOUR TEAM

Why Should Teams Participate in Connect

The Connect Program's network-based approach provides multiple layers of passive and active protection for at-risk individuals working in high-pressure environments without requiring them to self-identify or their team leaders to detect and intervene.

Reduced Suicide Risk

By promoting strength-based approaches for navigating stress and transitions, Connect reduces suicide risk and depressive symptoms with demonstrated effectiveness in military units facing similar acute stressors. This is done without stigmatizing mental health concerns.

Reduced Occupational Problems

Participants in the Connect Program reported fewer occupational problems such as corrective training and problems due to anger.

Increased Social Bonds and Cohesion

The Connect Program strengthens group relationship bonds and creates mutual expectations of healthy behavior within teams, boosting team dynamics and individual well-being and fostering a culture of collective care and support (Wyman et al, 2020, 2022).

Shared Healthy Expectations

Groups develop a common language and expectations for healthy coping through the use of the Four Core Strengths - Kinship, Purpose, Guidance and Balance - to support health and normalize help-seeking and receiving.

Less Isolation for Those with Suicide Risk

People at risk for suicide typically become less connected over time. The Connect Program interrupts this harmful pattern and Wingman Guardian Connect groups have been shown to keep vulnerable participants closer.

Key Features of the Connect Experience

The Connect Program represents a fundamental shift from traditional suicide prevention training. The program builds team-wide protective factors and equips participants with practical, experience-based skills.

Interactive Learning

Engage in six hours of interactive training designed for 25-40 participants. Learning is personally meaningful, active, with an emphasis on learning from each other.

Video + Text Follow-Up to Sustain Learning

Participants also receive text messages and videos for six months to reinforce training concepts and encourage personal application through transitions.

Quick Booster Activities for Continued Group Growth

We provide team boosters and activities that anyone can pull off the shelf and use to reinforce and refresh the concepts after the initial six-hour educational session.

Related Research and Insights

Explore the evidence showcasing how Connect boosts teams.

50%

less likely to receive corrective training or a negative counseling statement with fewer relationship problems due to anger, disconnection, and accelerated risk.

After Connect, members who previously considered suicide were
5x
Less Likely to Be Isolated
3x
More Positive Connections
Connect is the first upstream military prevention program with evidence of effectiveness in reducing suicide risk and occupational problems based on a gold standard randomized controlled trial.

- JAMA Network, Open

Frequently asked questions

Who can benefit from the Connect program?

The Connect Program is currently available for military and first responder organizations. Adaptations of the program are under evaluation in healthcare, religious communities, youth settings, and other workplaces. We will make the program available as results validate these adaptations.

What makes Connect different from other mental health programs?

Unlike traditional programs that react to crises, Connect takes a proactive stance on wellness promotion, focusing on building strong, cohesive networks and developing protective strengths that benefit all members, regardless of their risk level.

What outcomes can organizations expect from implementing Connect?

Organizations will see a notable improvement in team cohesion, a decrease in adverse outcomes related to stress and mental health, and an overall enhancement in their members' well-being and operational readiness.

How does the training accommodate large groups?

Connect is optimised for groups of 25-40 individuals, allowing for a balanced mix of personal engagement and group dynamics. Our training methods are designed to foster interactive learning and meaningful connections among participants.

Can Connect be integrated into existing wellness programs?

Absolutely. Connect complements existing wellness initiatives by adding a layer of proactive mental health promotion and resilience building. It can seamlessly integrate with your current programs to enhance overall effectiveness.

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