From the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army’s report on suicide, in fiscal year 2010, we had 160 active-duty suicide deaths, with 239 across the total Army. Additionally, there were 146 active-duty deaths related to high risk behavior including 74 drug overdoses.
Successful suicide attempts are only the tip of the iceberg. Perhaps even more worrying is the fact the Army had 1,713 known attempted suicides in the same period. The difference between these suicide attempts and another Soldier death often was measured only by the timeliness of life-saving leader/buddy and medical interventions.
Suicide prevention isn’t just a month-long campaign, it’s a lifestyle that we, as military leaders, service members, civilians and families have to include into our everyday lives. We must educate ourselves about the warning signs of suicide. We must have the courage to stand up to the resistance we will face in getting help for those who are at risk of committing suicide. We must stand shoulder-to-shoulder to prevent suicide.
Suicide is a single response to multiple problems. We must know the Soldiers we lead, identify those changes that may signal there is a problem — for example, drinking to excess, depression, financial problems, marital problems, uncertainty about the future — and lead them to alternative solutions of the underlying problems.
Leaders have many tools at their disposal to support Soldiers in this life or death struggle. These includes counselors, chaplains, financial advisors, Army Community Service classes, fellow Soldiers and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trained gatekeepers. ASIST gatekeepers are to mental health professionals what combat lifesavers are to medics. ASIST training is available here at Fort Leavenworth and I strongly encourage commanders and directors to identify and train members of their organizations to help save the lives of our Soldiers.
This year “Shoulder-to-Shoulder: I will never give up on life” has more meaning than ever. I am asking everyone reading this for help in standing shoulder-to-shoulder to prevent suicide. I encourage you to take action when someone is in trouble. Get involved and stay involved.
To those of you who may be considering harming yourselves, suicide is not the answer. There are other solutions to any problems you have. We, your brothers in arms, are here to help you. Just ask us.
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From the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army’s report on suicide, in fiscal year 2010, we had 160 active-duty suicide deaths, with 239 across the total Army. Additionally, there were 146 active-duty deaths related to high risk behavior including 74 drug overdoses.
Successful suicide attempts are only the tip of the iceberg. Perhaps even more worrying is the fact the Army had 1,713 known attempted suicides in the same period. The difference between these suicide attempts and another Soldier death often was measured only by the timeliness of life-saving leader/buddy and medical interventions.
Suicide prevention isn’t just a month-long campaign, it’s a lifestyle that we, as military leaders, service members, civilians and families have to include into our everyday lives. We must educate ourselves about the warning signs of suicide. We must have the courage to stand up to the resistance we will face in getting help for those who are at risk of committing suicide. We must stand shoulder-to-shoulder to prevent suicide.
Suicide is a single response to multiple problems. We must know the Soldiers we lead, identify those changes that may signal there is a problem — for example, drinking to excess, depression, financial problems, marital problems, uncertainty about the future — and lead them to alternative solutions of the underlying problems.
Leaders have many tools at their disposal to support Soldiers in this life or death struggle. These includes counselors, chaplains, financial advisors, Army Community Service classes, fellow Soldiers and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trained gatekeepers. ASIST gatekeepers are to mental health professionals what combat lifesavers are to medics. ASIST training is available here at Fort Leavenworth and I strongly encourage commanders and directors to identify and train members of their organizations to help save the lives of our Soldiers.
This year “Shoulder-to-Shoulder: I will never give up on life” has more meaning than ever. I am asking everyone reading this for help in standing shoulder-to-shoulder to prevent suicide. I encourage you to take action when someone is in trouble. Get involved and stay involved.
To those of you who may be considering harming yourselves, suicide is not the answer. There are other solutions to any problems you have. We, your brothers in arms, are here to help you. Just ask us.
