Suicide Prevention Month: make it your mission to be there
This month is Suicide Prevention Month in the Army, and worldwide. The theme for this month is
“Connect to Protect: Make it Your Mission to Be There.” This message emphasizes that key to impacting suicide prevention is in the day to day personal interaction with each other. That has been challenged with the current pandemic. Despite these challenges people have come up with creative ways to remain connected, from birthday parades to online virtual meetings.
People are demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of the COVID pandemic. Some of you are not giving yourself enough credit. Yes, you, the reader that just thought to themselves “not me, I’m barely keeping it together.” You are keeping it together, period. Resilience doesn’t mean coming to work with a smile on your face and a positive attitude ALL THE TIME. Resilience can mean something different for each of us. A significant concept in the U.S. Army Master Resiliency Training is “Hunt the good stuff;” not just the great stuff, the good stuff. Still, as something like the COVID pandemic continues, it can be more difficult to keep hunting the good stuff, maintaining a positive attitude, or remaining resilient. Connecting to others, our spirituality, our values, and our community helps to move forward, one day at a time.
If you want to have an impact on suicide, connect. I can know the risk factors, warning signs, and all the resources support available and it makes no difference if I do not reach out and connect. Connecting on a personal level, connecting professionally, connecting emotionally, and connecting to resources are key. None of these things happen unless I make it my mission to be there.
Suicide is still the 10th leading cause of death among adults in the
United States. The Department of Defense and the Army have focused on suicide prevention to improve resources, tools and support. It all boils down to connection. As we move forward through this month, I encourage you to look for new and creative ways to make connections. Seek out new coping skills to connect to. There are several mobile applications that are confidential, free, and available to anyone that can support psychological health. These apps, developed by the Veteran’s Administration and other government entities, include Mindfulness Coach, Mood Coach, Moving Forward, Parenting to Go, Breath 2 Relax, PTSD Coach, and Stay Quit (smoking cessation). Additional resources include the Army Fit website, www. armyfit.army.mil, and the Human Performance Resources website, www.hprc-online.org.
There may be times when additional assistance may be helpful, there are several resources to connect with on post. The Family Advocacy Program Manager, Lori Bell is in building
309 and can be reached at 928-3283224 or lori.a.bell15.civ@mail.mil. The Chaplain, in building 1100, can be reached at 928-328-3465, on his cell phone at 928-920-9771, or ronald.a.beltz4.mil@mail.mil. Military One Source, for active duty service members and their families, can be reached at 1-800-342-9647 or www.militaryonesource.mil. I am the Employee Assistance Program Coordinator, supporting DA Civilians, family members and retirees and I am located in building 501, room 205, and can be reached at 928-328-2249 or christopher.a.lee24.civ@mail.mil.
This month, and every month, reach out to someone and Connect to Protect. By making it your mission to be there, for yourself, your family, your neighbors, your co-workers, and your communities, you will make a difference and save a life.