Active-duty suicides up, Guard and Reserve down in 2014

As a retired SM and now a Suicide Prevention Program Manager (for military members), I have seen those numbers and are somewhat skewed/vetted/unintentionally labeled incorrectly. Whether the numbers are down or up, 1 is too many. Yes, ACE and ACE-SI can be a mundane check the annual block but It CAN be the perfect time to have someone that cares instruct the material. ASIST is also such an awesome valuable opportunity to get the information into the Soldiers head. Each state has a program manager (typically at your JFHQ) and each base has trainers that have gone through great training and make it interactive and meaningful. To say that "training time is more valuable than suicide prevention" couldn't be further from the truth. As leaders you owe it to your subordinates to not only ensure they have the necessary resources available to them but to show genuine concern for their well being. Spend a couple days at this prevention training or potentially spend a couple days on a 15-6 or funeral plans for something that could have been addressed. Nothing is 100% preventable but giving 100% to your soldiers and showing care, concern and proper training could possibly help that "1".