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Command Post What is this?
Posted on Dec 17, 2019
TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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I have taken this phone call twice.
Both times, I stopped what I was doing and found them - one of them halfway across from Wisconsin from me.
The best defense against suicide when you get the call is to care. Not like say you do, ACTUALLY CARE. They will know if you are feigning interest. Honestly, if they're calling you, it is because you are someone they want to talk to when stuff goes sideways. Rise to the occasion.
Bring in support from trained people as the situation allows, but chances are you are the make or break point.
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MAJ N/A
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1SG (Join to see) - Haven't in several years, but last I heard, he'd married and moved forward with his life.
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1SG Clifford Barnes
1SG Clifford Barnes
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Amen Brother
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CPL Linda B.
CPL Linda B.
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So thankful that you were able to be a rock in a storm for somebody and make a difference God bless you
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Maggie Tamulis
Maggie Tamulis
>1 y
As the mother of a disabled Gulf War 1991 Army veteran it breaks my heart to hear of a veteran who commits suicide...I know that caring is the most important element in helping someone in real "pain" and you sir are someone that is a true friend and a savior to those who have needed you.
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
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I went thru something like this during basic, talked a fellow recruit out of doing something stupid, we didn't know that another of the group would be the one that did it instead.
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
5 y
TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan - You're very welcome.
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SPC Nancy Greene
SPC Nancy Greene
5 y
Unfortuniately Cowboy, No One is able to Know Who is Actually Contempating Suicide. When THAT thought enters someone's mind,; only God has control of the situation. IMHO
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SPC Nancy Greene
SPC Nancy Greene
5 y
TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan - Great topic AnnaBellle. Extremely difficult to provide intervention when No One Knows Who Needs the intervention...
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
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MAJ Ken Landgren
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I know this is a canned response, but the buddy be triaged by someone and more appropriately by a mental health professional.
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TSgt CharliAnn Olney
TSgt CharliAnn Olney
>1 y
Be the lifeline FIRST! THEN encourage the person to seek help by trained medical personnel. NEVER EVER say "you need a doctor's help" and leave the person dangling!! Be there! Then, help them find professional help.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
MAJ Ken Landgren
>1 y
PO1 M. Chandler - Yeah there have been a few times I looked soldiers in their eyes and I could tell they were broken. I rattle off the symptoms and they always acknowledge the symptoms I enumerate. Then they can see I understand them and how they feel, and I tell them I will help them.

I think here are some PTSD sentiments: I don't understand what life is now with PTSD. I don't understand why I have PTSD. And I'm broken. When will I be fixed? Why is this real?"
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TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan
TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan
>1 y
Sometimes this happens in the middle of the night and if you can step in in time so that they can have a chance to actually see a mental health care provider. Triage happens once a person is in the system or identified.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
MAJ Ken Landgren
>1 y
I have written a PTSD Paper to help people. Would you like to read it?

I start with the program by saying people need to survive. It took me a few years to realize the facet some people have suicidal ideations, but the feelings are much deeper. Some people want to die. This is when they are the most vulnerable. They hurt so immensely and lost hope. Living translates to subjecting oneself to more unbearable hurt.
At this point not killing oneself and safety are paramount to include what I call "Infantry Skills". Take care of your body. Eat, Sleep, Work Out, and Hygiene. One must create a foundation to survive.

The rational thing to do is to find the person's switch to change reasons to die with reasons to live. This will take a lot of courage due to the intense hurt and infinite fear.

The questions I have is how do we give them hope? How do we stabilize them? How can we help them fight this hard battle. How do we get them across the finish line so we can hug them and say I am glad you made it and bask in the glory together.
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