The Army’s commitment to providing all members of the Army family with the support and care they deserve is unwavering. Army leaders are speaking out to let Soldiers, DA Civilians, and Family members know that their mental health is just as important as their physical health, and that when they need help staying mentally fit, there is always someone within their Army Family ready and willing to help.
Army leaders aren’t the only ones speaking out. Those who’ve experienced emotional crises, sought help to heal their wounds, and have emerged stronger Soldiers as a result, are coming forward to let others who are struggling know that they are not alone.
Shoulder to Shoulder: I Will Never Quit on Life features vignettes and testimonials of real Soldiers, DA Civilians, and Family members who received help for psychological distress or who assisted an individual in need. Designed to be used as a supplemental resource for the Army-approved suicide prevention and awareness training model, ACE (Ask, Care, Escort), the video illustrates how we can work together to keep each other, and our Army, mentally fit.
Members of the Army Family and the public can view the video at www.preventsuicide.army.mil
Suicide is not just a problem within the Army. The stories and underlying messages apply to all of us. Soldiers, Army Civilians, Family members and the public are all encouraged to watch Shoulder to Shoulder, and consider how they can live by the examples of these Army Strong Family members.
Kudos to the Army for continuing to find ways to support our troops and our community. Suicide and mental health are still frequently perceived as verboten topics in our society, but each step to change this is monumental.
I personally was a split-second into the decision to either ram a tree or go to my doctor for help; the critical point for me came when I realized I could not stand the sound of my childrens’ voices. My depression had been a slow 5 year descent into a hole that was deeper and steeper than I could have imagined. The decision to ask for help seems like your weakest moment, but I found that the first step toward help was a small brave step that would have to be repeated daily.
Good counseling, medication, spiritual practices (including Energy Medicine by Donna Eden under review for PTSD at Walter Reed), continued patience with myself, and retooling of mental scripts were all needed to fight this Monster. I have since learned that when someone asks for help, they were already in desperate need for at least 6-12 months. Do not waste time in seeking/offering help; each breath is already a conscious struggle with pain and loss.
Perhaps, the military can learn why suicide is at a greater level by conducting a truly anonymous survey. Questions to ask would be to learn what plateaus have seemed to be that final step where darkness is too overpowering, what practices the individuals have added lately or begun to do more frequently, and what the individuals attribute to the changes, e.g. need to rest, feel valued, heard, etc.
I humbly offer prayers for all individuals who serve or support our military.
At this time I think more important is to have a proper mental state than a physical. War is no longer lead with bayonets but with the mind. Who is an appropriate strategy to have everything to gain. The physical and intellectual training that is crucial in today’s soldiers. Not have to be a package of muscle to be a soldier. You need to be smart and agile.
All this is nice. I was a soldier. Desert Storm. Gave 11 years to the military. Now there’s foreign flags flying on United States soil, foreign people burning the American flag on United States soil, foreign people destroying our Christian heritage, foreign people saying they hate the United States in the United States and a leader who is acting like a king. All my fellow Army Vets I’m sure are wondering why our Military leaders are letting all of this happen. We are suppose to be the greatest Army in the world. I don’t see it. That’s what I have to explain to my children. “Mom, I thought you said the Army wouldn’t let this happen.” You have all traded our freedom in for money! Thanks.
what a joke! You cant tell the public whatever you want to make them think the army is behind their soldiers or even care about them. I can tell you first hand as a mother of one of those soldier you dont give a damn. I would never ever recommend any one joining the army.
As a Rear Detachment Commander in Baumholder, Germany, I encountered several situations where I interacted with both spouses and Soldiers who expressed suicidal thoughts. Several years earlier I was able to take a Suicide Intervention course through the chapel and I could not have been more greatful for the training. It provided a framework to follow when talking to or counseling someone in this type of situation. This type of crisis management or intervention can be extremely overwhleming to anyone, but the framework of this training enabled me to react in a calm, rational manner. I have yet to see this training offered on a mandatory basis across the army at all levels, but I strongly believe this training (ASIST Training), would benefit leaders at all levels. This is truly an invaluable tool. Right now, I believe most leaders are hesitant to truly speak to a Soldier about suicide and are more willing to push them off to the chaplain or mental health. But this is probably due to an extreme discomfort level about not feeling competent to engage in this type of intervention. We need to take more responsibility as the first line of defense for these Soldiers and family members, and I believe that ASIST training can provide the framework to do so.
MAJ Kimberly Ferguson
CGSC Student, Class 10-02
I heard about the 2 soldiers that went missing in Afganistan a few days ago.
It is almost the year 2011, we were supposed to have fly cars by now! Why is there not some sort of tracking system on soldiers in the field to prevent this sort of thing and help with incidents like friendly fire?
Thanks
There is a saying that puts it in perspective for me. “Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.” All the best to our military personnel!! Thanks for all you do!
I agree that Suicide Prevention training is needed and required at all levels of leadership however, I’m not sure that the organizational climate towards mental health has changed. We require a better approach at changing the way mental health issues are handled within military organizations. Soldiers need to know that when they come forward they won’t be stiffed armed, labeled or criticized.
I recall when a young man in my basic training company came forward with the fact that he had some issues and required help he was automatically placed to the side and labeled as a whiner. Maybe this was because we were in a training environment but the bottom line is that he needed help. He was treated like an outsider to all that knew about his situation. It wasn’t right then and it isn’t right now for Soldiers to receive treatment that labels them when there are serious issues at hand.
I also recall that while deployed to Saudi Arabia we had a Soldier shot himself in the abdomen after warning the command that he would cause harm to himself. Again, the Soldier was pushed to the side and treated as being a whiner. Leadership didn’t take the threat seriously but quickly had to respond to an emergency when the Soldier made good on his problems.
It is good to see the Army making changes to the way training is conducted for mental health and Suicide Prevention but there has to be a culture change at every Company, Battalion, Brigade, Division, and Corp. Soldiers need to feel comfortable about coming forward with issues and not feel threatened by labels, criticism, and being put aside. I encourage every leader to speak with his or her command and encourage Soldiers to come forward to receive the assistance required. I believe that we’re missing the mark about mental health and Suicide Prevention unless there is a serious culture change among the ranks.
MAJ Reginald Martin
Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth Kansas
ILE Class 10-003
Satellite Campus Fort Gordon GA