Email   Print   Share By Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood Commanding General

Facebook Digg Delicious September 27, 2012 | Editorial

Today is designated as an official Stand Down across the Army to focus on suicide prevention. The World Suicide Prevention Day and National Suicide Prevention Week are also in the month of September. We have chosen these days to highlight the serious nature of suicide. That being said, suicide prevention is something that we must all focus on every day of the year. This is a call to action for every Soldier, Family member and civilian because this is truly a team effort.

2011 had the second highest number of suicides in the Army’s history, which was only slightly down from the record-high suicide rate in 2010. Here at the Great Place, we have suffered this tragic event three times in the last 14 days. Our most important resources in the Army are our Soldiers and their Families. Our people collectively come together to accomplish great things as unit level teams and the greater Army team.

Suicide strikes at the very core of the team, whether it be a unit, a Family or the Army itself. This is why here at the Great Place and across the Army, we are continuously looking at how we can prevent this tragic loss of life. Eleven years of war and multiple deployments have put an unprecedented amount of stress on our Soldiers and Families. The Army understands this and we understand this here at the Great Place. I am committed to providing any and all resources available to prevent suicides. I have emphasized this same commitment to leaders at all levels across Fort Hood. The importance of battle buddies and teams at the squad level cannot be overstated. I am extremely proud when I hear of a young Soldier assisting a battle buddy and encouraging them to get help.

In addition to today’s Suicide Prevention Stand Down training, which we will conduct at the individual unit level, there will be an interactive role play at Howze Auditorium. This interactive role play has four professional actors, and it is an excellent forum to highlight the warning signs and risk factors of suicide.

There will be a panel discussion at Palmer Theater, where the panel members will discuss their personal experiences with suicide in their lives. This is an extremely powerful session that focuses on what we can do differently to prevent suicide, and how we can be more aware as a community and Army Family. We will also be screening two movies across Fort Hood: the “Save a Life” movie and “The Bridge.” Both of these movies address suicide, at-risk behavior and decision-making in an innovative fashion. There will also be Health Fair resource booths at all the training venues with representatives from Behavioral Health, the Army Substance Abuse Program, the Employee Assistance Program and the Community Health Promotion Council.

I would also like to mention that we have other resources that can be accessed 24 hours a day and seven days a week. One of these is the Fort Hood Chaplain’s Hotline at 287-CHAP. Another outstanding resource is the Military OneSource website at www.militaryonesource.mil. This site has a wide array of information and contact phone numbers for individuals that are seeking assistance.

With all these resources and events, what cannot be emphasized enough is the importance of communication. If you think someone may be considering suicide, discuss it with them. If you are considering suicide, please talk with someone.

Part of this effort is something I have mentioned many times previously – reducing the stigma of seeking behavioral health help. I will reiterate that this is a team effort across our formations and ranks. Another very important part of this strategy is providing quality behavioral health resources in a timely manner. The key in all these efforts is not to remain silent. Together, we can increase awareness and save lives – the lives of our Family members, teammates and Soldiers who make up the very fabric of our Army and our nation. One life saved justifies the entire effort.

Phantom Warriors! Army Strong!