Posted on Nov 25, 2018
How can I help with suicide prevention, beyond the annual briefings?
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The day before Thanksgiving, one of my Soldiers took his life. Suicide is rampant in my unit, to the point that that one of our LTCs took his life last year. How can I help, beyond the annual briefings? I'm at my wit's end.
Posted in these groups: 
Suicide
Suicide
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 12
1LT(P) (Join to see) I am sorry to hear that you lost a soldier. The discussions need to take place more often that during an annual briefing. I will tag some RallyPoint leaders to provide feedback.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs, Lt Col Charlie Brown, Maj Marty Hogan, LTC Stephen F., LTC Stephen C., LTC (Join to see), CSM Charles Hayden, SFC (Join to see)
Below is information from a previous post.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/suicide-prevention-tools-improved
COL Mikel J. Burroughs, Lt Col Charlie Brown, Maj Marty Hogan, LTC Stephen F., LTC Stephen C., LTC (Join to see), CSM Charles Hayden, SFC (Join to see)
Below is information from a previous post.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/suicide-prevention-tools-improved
Suicide Prevention Tools Improved | RallyPoint
The Army Is Building An Algorithm To Prevent Suicide Jerry Evans Jr. fills out a suicide report every time he picks up the phone. “Everyone who calls the crisis line gets assessed. If they call trying to refill a prescription, because they just dialed the wrong number, they still get assessed,” he explained. He’s a responder at the Veterans Crisis Line. It’s a hotline administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs that takes calls from...
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LTC Stephen C.
Thanks for the tag, Sgt (Join to see), but I’m simply too far removed from the Army and not qualified to provide any commentary of value.
1LT(P) (Join to see), I’m truly sorry to hear of the loss of this soldier and the predicament in which you find yourself. I’m also sorry that I can’t be of assistance and I hope you find the help and solace that you seek.
1LT(P) (Join to see), I’m truly sorry to hear of the loss of this soldier and the predicament in which you find yourself. I’m also sorry that I can’t be of assistance and I hope you find the help and solace that you seek.
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SFC (Join to see)
Honestly, the best thing you can do is to care enough to be up in people's business. Leadership is relationships, you just have to care that much.
There aren't any tools that will make your Soldiers feel safe approaching you with their problems. No technology can replace leadership and presence.
There aren't any tools that will make your Soldiers feel safe approaching you with their problems. No technology can replace leadership and presence.
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SrA John Monette
LTC Stephen C. - I disagree. as one veteran to another, we need to make ourselves available to everyone whether it's a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen
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1. Holidays normally have to highest suicide rate. 2. Mostly it is in their hands, but you and others can watch for the signals ( you brief them?) Have all your folks talk heart to heart, not just go thru the steps. 3. You have to humanly care not go thru the steps. 4, It is hard to ask for help- offer it instead. 5. Remind them that you will not judge and not report unless they display the last steps of hurting themselves. 6. Bring in mental health folks for talks- don't make it an annual thing to check the box!
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Break your butt, personally engage as many Soldiers as you can, offer them information on resources you have researched.
Female officer or not, hang out with the troops - drink - communicate - share - refer them to resources - check on them.
Your contribution could become overwhelming. Delegate, lead others into becoming assistants in talking to and referring troops.
Take care of yourself, a commitment like that can be overwhelming. The Caregivers main job is to sustain the their ability to give!
Female officer or not, hang out with the troops - drink - communicate - share - refer them to resources - check on them.
Your contribution could become overwhelming. Delegate, lead others into becoming assistants in talking to and referring troops.
Take care of yourself, a commitment like that can be overwhelming. The Caregivers main job is to sustain the their ability to give!
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