Core Connections – Strengthening Bonds That Protect
Core Connections (formerly known as Connect) 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. Core Connections is adaptable for other military and police units. Evaluations are underway in healthcare, religious communities, and youth sports.
Core Connections (known as Wingman Guardian Connect in the United States Air Force) 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.
Why Should Teams Participate in Core Connections
Core Connections' 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, Core Connections 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 Core Connections reported fewer occupational problems such as corrective training and problems due to anger.
Increased Social Bonds and Cohesion
Core Connections 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. Core Connections interrupts this harmful pattern and Wingman Guardian Connect groups have been shown to keep vulnerable participants closer.
Key Features of the Core Connections Experience
Core Connections 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 Core Connections boosts teams.
less likely to receive corrective training or a negative counseling statement with fewer relationship problems due to anger, disconnection, and accelerated risk.
Promising Outcomes of Wingman-Connect Program in Reducing Suicidal Behavior Among US Air Force Personnel
Reaching Hidden Suicide Risk in Military Units
- JAMA Network, Open
Frequently asked questions
Core Connections is currently available for education, health, military and first responder organizations. Adaptations of the program are under evaluation in healthcare, religious communities, youth settings, and other workplaces.
Unlike traditional programs that react to crises, Core Connections 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.
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.
Core Connections 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.
Absolutely. Core Connections 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.