September is Suicide Prevention Month and the dept of the military joins our nation and the area in observing National Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 8-14, 2013, within the U.S. and the arena Health Organization’s World Suicide Prevention Day, Sept. 10, as section of efforts to advertise awareness about suicide and empower individuals and communities to intervene and save lives by understanding the danger factors, indications, protective measures, and to take appropriate intervention actions when needed.
The Army’s leadership role within the fight to avoid suicide is to extend awareness of the Army’s suicide prevention resources, and continued efforts to coach, empower, and equip Soldiers, families and Department of the military Civilians to hunt help for all times stressors and intervene to assist others who display at-risk behaviors.
The end state is a more informed and resilient Army family and a climate where Soldiers, families, and civilians seek help when needed and are empowered to intervene and act to avoid wasting lives.
“We call on each of you to behave, know your Soldier, and know the prevailing prevention resources,” said Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho, Army surgeon general and commander of the U.S. Army Medical Command. “These tools are key to self care and sustainment of our Army family.”
In March 2009, according to more and more Army suicides, the vice chief of staff of the military released the military Campaign Plan for Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention, and chartered the military Suicide Prevention Task Force and the military Suicide Prevention Council. Since that point, the military has invested tremendous effort in investigating the causes of suicide within its ranks and in implementing policies and programs whose sole purpose is to advertise resilience, prevent suicides, and enhance the readiness of the force. One such program is the Performance Triad, which makes a speciality of monitoring one’s activity, nutrition and sleep as a method of fortifying Soldiers’ readiness and resilience.
In 2012, the military doubled its efforts towards reducing the stigma linked to seeking behavioral healthcare. To handle this tragic problem, the military has instituted a multi-disciplinary, holistic method of health promotion, risk reduction, and suicide prevention that addresses the various challenges our Soldiers, families, and military civilians face.
“From our individual Soldiers and civilians to our units and families, we have to be committed to investing in building enduring strength in a holistic way,” said John M. McHugh, secretary of the military.
On Sept. 27, 2012, the U.S. Army conducted phase one (awareness and education) of a military-wide suicide prevention stand right down to empower leaders, Soldiers, families and civilians. During phase one, leaders conducted discussions with Soldiers and used the Leader Risk Reduction Tool (specifically developed for this purpose), conducted community and family-oriented events, and identified local programs, and resiliency training. The resources developed and utilized through the stand down are housed at the website of the military Human Resources Group (Army G-1). The next day, phase two of the stand down began and continues today. Phase two (training and sustainment) will continue indefinitely.
Suicide prevention remains one of the crucial pressing ‘Health of the Force’ issues. Army leaders are committed to maintaining a supportive environment that improves the physical, emotional, and psychological resiliency of our Soldiers, families, civilians and individual/unit readiness. With the implementation of the 2020 Army Strategy for Suicide Prevention, the military will try to shift its culture by increasing the emphasis on leader involvement to give protection to and promote life.
Army regulations governing health promotion, risk reduction, and suicide prevention describe suicide prevention as a continuum of awareness, intervention, and “postvention” [sic] to assist save lives. Ultimately, the goal of prevention is to develop healthy, resilient Soldiers to the purpose where suicide isn’t an option.
The Ready and Resilient Campaign exemplifies the Army’s collaborative, holistic approach, which tailors suicide intervention, prevention, and response measures to make certain Soldier resilience. As a comprehensive plan addressing the immediate and enduring needs of the whole Army — active duty, Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers, their families, and Department of Army Civilians, this campaign synchronizes and integrates key Army programs that target building resilience, reinforcing prevention, and supporting the reduction of suicide and suicidal ideation, sexual harassment and sexual assault, bullying and hazing, substance abuse, domestic violence; and stigma linked to seeking help.
Suicide is a multi-faceted problem that requires an equally sophisticated response. Life stressors including behavioral health issues, relationship difficulties, physical illness, and fiscal and legal problems can all weigh heavily on a person, engendering feelings of burdensomeness and hopelessness. As these difficulties and feelings, real and/or perceived multiply within someone, suicide can become an increasingly viable solution — an everlasting solution for a brief problem.
“Each suicide is a sad loss for the military family and America,” said Horoho. “As leaders it’s our responsibility to finish hazing, harassment, discrimination, and any behavior that runs counter to Army values. Empower those you bring about always intervene and act to save lots of lives.”
For greater than a decade, Army leadership was up front within the creation and establishment of suicide prevention policy and innovative initiatives to bridge available resources with current needs. During the last several years there was a decrease within the percentage of Soldiers that hold views that bar them from seeking help. Concurrently, the selection of Soldiers who’re using treatment programs reminiscent of behavioral health and substance abuse has steadily increased which indicates Soldiers are overcoming those stigma barriers. It’ll take time to switch this culture, but through actions and example, Army leaders are beginning that transformation.
Defeating suicide will take active involvement from everyone. People can become involved and interact those scuffling with setbacks and challenges.
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