To the Soldiers and Airmen of the South Dakota National Guard, Taking care of our Soldiers and Airmen and Families is my top priority, and this has a direct connection with the month of September, which is Suicide Prevention Month. I am including a message below from Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel which does a good job of laying out how each of us can assist in preventing suicide. As he points out, asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it is actually a sign of courage and strength. If you are concerned that a fellow service member, family member or friend may be at risk for suicide please call the toll-free number below, notify one of your full-time support personnel or anyone in your chain of command. That single act can save a life. Thank you for helping to support my top priority. MG Tim Reisch The Adjutant General - Message to the Force on Suicide Prevention Month As Written by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, September 02, 2014 To the men and women of the Department of Defense: Preventing military suicide is one of DoD’s highest priorities, and something I’m personally committed to as Secretary of Defense. As we observe Suicide Prevention Month, we must rededicate ourselves to actively working not only every month, but every day to fulfill our collective responsibility to watch out for each other and take care of each other. Human beings are fragile, and suicide is a complex and devastating event that affects us all. The painful loss of life and its heartbreaking aftermath spread beyond the individual and immediate family, taking a toll on fellow service members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and society itself. While preventing suicide takes all of us working together, it begins with a personal commitment. When someone is going through challenges and comes to you for help, it doesn’t make them weak. It means they’re strong, because asking for help when you need it takes courage and strength. What we need to remember – what our entire country needs to remember – is that these brave individuals shouldn’t be avoided or stigmatized. They need to be embraced. Whether you’re a service member, a veteran, a DoD civilian, or a friend or family member of someone who is, you have the power to make a difference. It only takes one person to ask one question or make one call – and that single act can save a life. If you need help, if you know someone who is, or even if you just need someone to talk to, contact the Military Crisis Line via phone, online chat, or text message. Just call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1; visit militarycrisisline.net; or text 838255. It’s free, easy, confidential, and trained professionals are always there for you – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The battle to prevent suicide cannot be waged on a single front. It will only be won if we stand together and take every opportunity – in our homes, at our duty stations, and in conversations with friends and mentors – to support each other and be there for those in our communities who need our help. By fighting as one team, we will help prevent suicide. Thank you, and your families, for all that you do for our country. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
Posted on: Wed, 03 Sep 2014 16:14:42 +0000
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