Update: Kim tragically passed away on Jan 21, 2024, after a 37 yearlong battle with Scleroderma.  Kim fought through every ailment due to Scleroderma, never wanting to be defined by the disease.  As our way of honoring our friend Kim, we are going to keep her in our hearts and on our website for all the work that she has done in suicide prevention.  We love you, Kim.

Kim Ruocco is the Vice President For Suicide Prevention and Postvention at the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). In this role, Ms. Ruocco has developed a field-leading, best practice three-phase postvention model, which offers a road map to stabilization, a health promoting grief journey and opportunities for post-traumatic growth.

In addition to her postvention work Ms. Ruocco provides thought leadership and subject matter expertise to suicide prevention efforts in many civilian and military organizations.  She is an international speaker who uses her education, personal experience and information gathered from 1000’s of service members and bereaved military families to help others more fully understand suicide.

Ms. Ruocco has testified before both the Senate and House Committees on Veterans Affairs. She is the co-lead for AAS Mil/Vet Committee, a co-lead on the National Action Alliance Service Member, Veteran and family Advisory group, and a member of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) steering committee.

Kim holds a BA in Human Services and Psychology from the University of Massachusetts and a Masters degree in Clinical Social Work from Boston University. She is also the surviving widow of Marine Corp Major John Ruocco, who died by suicide in 2005.