Suicide Prevention & Intervention Program

Empowering Survivors, Preventing Tragedy

At Shield of Sisters, we are deeply committed to the prevention of suicide among survivors of Military Sexual Trauma. Our approach combines compassion, connection, and community-based solutions to address the complex challenges our members face. Through trauma-informed retreats, ongoing peer support, therapeutic resources, and collaborations with national initiatives like Face the Fight, we empower survivors to reclaim their lives and find hope. You are not alone—there is strength in solidarity, and healing is possible.

How We Help Prevent Veteran Suicide

Our Suicide Prevention & Intervention Program is built on a holistic, survivor-centered approach, integrating Trauma-Informed Life Coaching. Each participant is paired with a trained life coach who provides:

• Regular check-ins to assess emotional well-being.
• Resilience-building strategies to regain confidence and control.
• Personalized crisis plans to address suicidal ideation.

Meet Our Counselor

Bethany Rentsch
MLitt, MSE, NCC, LPC

Bethany is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Wisconsin. She was a Military Trainer for Resolute Support Mission, where she worked for 16 months, 2015-2016. Afterwards, Bethany pursued a second graduate degree, this time in mental health. She is now a trauma recovery psychotherapist. Bethany is also a public speaker and mental health trainer, occasionally administering formal suicide prevention specific to veterans.

Lethal Means Safety Education

We educate survivors on practical ways to reduce immediate suicide risks, including:

• Safe firearm storage (gun locks, safes, voluntary removal).
• Secure medication safety (reducing access to lethal doses).
• Identifying and removing environmental hazards that could facilitate self-harm.

Crisis Response & Intervention

Our life coaches are trained in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR). In a crisis, they:

• Listen nonjudgmentally and assess immediate risk.
• Create a safety plan (24-hour action plan, reducing access to lethal means, identifying crisis contacts).
• Connect survivors to professional help, including the VA, crisis hotlines, and therapists.
• Follow up after the crisis to ensure continued safety and healing.

Peer Support Groups

Isolation is one of the biggest risk factors for suicide. Our weekly peer-led support groups provide:

• A safe space to discuss struggles and victories.
• Connection with other MST survivors who understand.
• Resilience-building activities to reduce depression and anxiety.

Ongoing Training for Life Coaches

To maintain excellence in suicide prevention, our life coaches receive ongoing education in:

• Suicide prevention & intervention techniques.
• MST-related mental health challenges.
• Cultural competency for veterans.
• Crisis de-escalation strategies.

How We Measure Success

We ensure the effectiveness of our program through data-driven assessments, including:

• UCLA Pre- and Post-Retreat Mental Health Surveys – Measuring emotional well-being before and after retreats.
• 30/60/90-Day Post-Assessments – Tracking long-term recovery progress.
• Crisis Intervention Tracking – Monitoring successful de-escalations and referrals.
• Annual Feedback Surveys – Improving our program based on survivor experiences.