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Bravo Company Suicide Prevention Training
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June 2, 2009, 4:00 EDT
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, on Tuesday predicted that the Army will see a record number of suicides this year.
In the Army alone, there were 133 suicides in 2008 and six months through 2009 the Army is contending with 64 confirmed suicides, 11 at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky alone.
With permission from Cpt. Bukowski, Bravo Company, 303rd MI BN, (Ft. Hood, Texas) I am reprinting an excerpt from the most recent First to Know, B.Co. FRG Newsletter regarding suicide prevention training.
Bravo Company Suicide Prevention Training
All Bravo Company Soldiers~both in Iraq and Afghanistan~ have recently taken part in a three-phase Suicide Prevention Training campaign.
The first phase of the training, conducted with the 303rd MI BN Chaplain or supported unit chaplains at each team location, consisted of an interactive video promoting soldier awareness on common personal, professional and combat –related stressors that can lead to depression or suicidal thoughts, as well as warning signs exhibited by at-risk soldiers. The second phase of the training, also conducted by chaplains, is called “Warrior Resiliency.”
During this training, chaplains led soldiers in discussion on how to build and maintain emotional and mental toughness in stressful situations,and also taught individual techniques for coping with emotional difficulties.
The third phase of the training called “Shoulder to Shoulder: No Soldier Stands Alone” is led by CPT Bukowski and 1SG Wilbur in Iraq and 1LT Norlund and SFC McGill in Afghanistan. This training focuses on identifying the warning signs of at-risk soldiers and what to do when encountering an at-risk soldier:.jpg)
- ASK-Ask if they are considering hurting themselves or others. Get it out in the open
- CARE-Remove any means by which they could harm themselves or others and actively listen to their concerns.
- ESCORT- Escort them to a chaplain or healthcare provider and never leave them alone.
A soldier’s emotional and behavioral well-being is just as important as their physiological health. If a soldier is wounded in any way, we take care of our battle buddies and get them the help they need. Suicide is preventable!
The leaders of Bravo Company take very seriously our charge to get the message out, train our teams and set a command climate that empowers battle buddies to take care of each other and do the right thing.
If you or a soldier you love is struggling with emotional issues, there is help and the military is removing the stigma of seeking it. Resources below.
Free, Anonymous Contacts for soldiers & Families in Crisis
Army One Source: www.armyonesource.com or 1-800-464-8107
Military & Family Life Consultants: www.mhngs.com or 1-254-383-2571
Ft. Hood Resilience and Restoration Building #36009, 1-254-553-2288
May 6, 2009, this Examiner’s report addressed mental health support at a free, private source in Washington State. (soldiersprojectnw@yahool.com /phone 206-290-1035).
For more information on the Real Warriors Campaign visit www.realwarriors.net or call the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) Outreach Center at (866) 966-1020.
Photo Credit: SFC McGill, Afghanistan
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