Suicide Prevention Message from Jonathan Woodson, M.D., Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) Dear MHS Colleagues: Every September is Suicide Prevention Month. The Department of Defense will take this opportunity, along with our partners in the VA and civilian community to refresh our attention to this important national problem. September is only a one month fraction of our enduring interest in reducing suicide and in getting the word out about how we can help others. It serves as an annual reminder of the tremendous resources and services that we have invested in combating the problem of suicide. Suicide and suicidal behavior arent unique to the military, and it isnt just a national problem. Suicide is a major global public health concern. The number of lives lost annually through suicide exceeds the number of deaths due to homicide and war combined. Fortunately the vast majority of those with severe life challenges never attempt suicide. However, we can do better. We can do better in making positive choices easier to accomplish. We can create a culture of caring for one another, one where its okay to ask for help and one where we all understand there are effective solutions and treatments. Life in the military brings its own unique challenges. Yet, no military force in history has put forward more research or more military leadership attention to understanding how to create and sustain psychological health among its armed forces than the Department of Defense does today. Our research community is continuously improving our knowledge base: we know it is important that people know there are effective treatments; we understand that involved communities do make a difference; we know that clinics that aggressively focus on the problem of suicidal ideation and behavior can reduce that in their populations. Over the past several years, we have been encouraged by some trends. Not just the engagement of all leaders - senior civilian and military leaders, officers and enlisted, our families and our communities - in encouraging individuals to get help when they need it, but also in removing the stigma surrounding care for mental health problems. Yet, we can never allow good news or positive trends to foster complacency. We need to maintain our focus on resilience and total force fitness - physically, mentally, socially and spiritually - among our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. And we need to ensure that those who serve know where to turn to get the help they require. We need courageous leaders to seek help themselves early and be boldly honest about their successes when they do. We stand together as a community to prevent suicide. Vigilance is key -- recognizing when others are at risk and in crisis - and not being afraid to step in. If someone you know is in distress or may be contemplating suicide, they can contact the Military Crisis Line immediately via phone, online chat, or text message. Just call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1; visit militarycrisisline.net; or text 838255. Trained professionals are always there - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you know someone who needs help or just needs someone to talk to, please encourage them to reach out to people who may have been exactly where they are right now - fellow veterans. Vets4Warriors is a free, confidential peer-to-peer support service. The Vets4Warriors call center is staffed by veterans and family members representing all branches of the services. You can connect with them anytime by phone (1-855-838-8255), online chat (visit Vets4Warriors ), or e-mail (Info@Vets4Warriors). One conversation - one text, one chat, one call, one question, one act – can save a life. Be attuned to others who may need your help, but remember that some will only give off subtle signs of distress. Use your own experience as medical professionals to help others recognize it too. Were making progress. And still we have much further to go. #TeamNavy, #suicideprevention, #shipmates, #sailors
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 16:12:12 +0000
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