Email   Print   Share By Sharon Sutton, Suicide Prevention Program Manager

Facebook Digg Delicious August 30, 2012 | Editorial

September is Suicide Prevention Month. The theme for this year is “A Healthy Force is A Ready Force.” Suicide prevention is an “all hands” evolution, all the time. With the increase in the number of suicides throughout the military, it makes sense to pause from our day-to-day efforts and consider some additional prevention actions.

Soldiers, Family members, retirees, Department of Army civilians and contractors all make up the great community of Fort Hood. We all have a responsibility to take care of one another.

Nowhere is this more evident than when addressing suicide within our community. We must know the potential risk factors associated with suicide. These may include relationship, financial or occupational difficulties, drug and alcohol abuse or serious medical or physical illness. We must also pay close attention to the warning signs. These include increased alcohol or drug use, isolation, expression of feelings of sadness, hopelessness and anxiety, changes in mood, eating and sleep habits and talking or hinting about suicide or expressing a strong wish to

die.

If you need assistance, ask for help. We can get you to the resource that will help you with your situation. We all need to foster an environment that encourages us all to intervene if we think someone is at risk for suicide. There are several opportunities throughout the installation that can better prepare each of us to address the issue of suicide.

Ask, Care, Escort, or ACE, and ACE – SI (Suicide Intervention) are suicide prevention training courses that provide an excellent opportunity to discuss and role-play realistic scenarios and practice communication and intervention skills.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, or ASIST, is a workshop for caregivers, leaders or anyone who wants to feel more comfortable, confident and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Hundreds of gatekeepers, both military and civilian, have participated in this two-day highly interactive, practical, practice-oriented workshop at Fort Hood throughout the years.

Be part of the experience and get involved. Beginning Tuesday, the workshop will be offered every Tuesday and Wednesday at the Comanche Chapel. Family members are encouraged to participate in this invaluable training. Call 287-5245 to register.

The Suicide Prevention Interactive Role Play produced by Will Interactive and Vet Works, will return Sept. 12. It will be presented every Wednesday in Palmer Theater (or Howze Auditorium until the Palmer Theater reopens) at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The play, which lasts approximately 70 minutes, involves four professional actors dramatizing and highlighting the warning signs and risk factors that are common to those individuals who have contemplated suicide or have suicidal ideations. The play is interactive which allows for audience participation in addressing the topic of suicides. More than 40,000 Soldiers, Family members and civilians have already received this important training.

The installation Suicide Prevention Program manager is always available with information about any of the training events discussed. She is located in the Army Substance Abuse Program building and can be reached at 287-5245.

Stay tuned for upcoming events for Suicide Prevention Month. A schedule of events will be posted shortly, especially pertaining to the dynamic programs for the Suicide Stand Down Day. Sept. 27. There are many events planned for the day that will address the topic of suicides, to include the Suicide Prevention Interactive Role Play. This day promises to be very informative, interactive and creative. We look forward to seeing you Sept. 27.

Lastly, it is important to address how resilient we are as a community. Continue to promote healthy lifestyles encompassing spiritual, emotional and physical wellness. Continue to take care of one another. That’s what makes Fort Hood the Great Place.