Suicide Prevention Training -- "I've got more important things to do!"

By William "Bill" NiemyerAugust 28, 2014

"I've got more important things to do!" I've heard this statement while waiting to give a suicide prevention class. To tell the truth, before I started working in Suicide Prevention, at times I felt this way when I was ordered to attend suicide prevention training. I wasn't thinking about what I could get out of the training. I was feeling sorry for myself because I had to sit through another session of what is sarcastically known as GAT, or Good Army Training.

I've seen the slides. I've seen the all the films. I had that attitude "I'm not suicidal; let's just get this over with." So how important is suicide prevention training? The thing is, now I've talked with mothers who have lost a child to suicide. I've talked with people who have lost spouses to suicide. I've seen the hurt in the eyes of people who have lost a friend. I hear the guilt they feel because they think they didn't do enough. Suicide prevention training may be the difference between life and death. It is that important.

Just because you're not thinking about killing yourself when you walk into a suicide prevention class, doesn't mean you'll never be suicidal. It doesn't mean you won't come across someone else who is suicidal. Are you prepared to deal with someone who tells you they want to kill them self? What are the warning signs? What are the risk factors? If you implement the ACE [Ask, Care, Escort] card will you have a problem? How much more is there to know about how to prevent a suicide?

Most of us interact with several other people every day. Sometimes some of those people are thinking about ending their lives. They don't want to die, but they want their pain to stop. Their reasons for wanting to die are their own and you may not understand their reasons, but for them the reasons are real and the pain is real. They can't find a way to stop their pain and for some reason, usually fear, they won't or can't ask for help. They don't want to die, but they are trapped. They can't ask for help, but they hope someone will help. They need somebody to reach and to them and ask, "Are you okay? Do you need help?" If no one recognizes their struggle they are in real danger of dying. Be aware of the people around you. Are they in need?

Most of us care about others in our lives. We get busy and feel like there's just too much to get done and sometimes we think, "I don't have time for this. I've got more important things to do." When we challenge that thought we realize that saving someone from suicide is usually more important than the other things we have to get done.

There is a reason the Army requires annual training in suicide prevention. We can get better at looking out for each other. We can reduce suicide. Good news, suicide rates across the military are down this year. One of the reasons for that is suicide prevention training. One of the reasons is resiliency training.

We can't only think about suicide prevention one time a year; we need to talk about suicide prevention many times. I issue this challenge. Besides attending the required annual training what can you do this year to reduce suicide?

The Army provides three levels of suicide prevention training: ACE, is basic annual required training, ACE-SI, Suicide Intervention training, is a four-hour training designed for junior leaders and first-line supervisors. Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training is a two-day course designed for leaders and gatekeepers.

What if you learned to teach suicide prevention? What if you got your co-workers or Family together and just talked about your thoughts and attitudes about suicide? If you would like some help with this challenge or if you have questions or concerns, contact me at 520.533.2071.

September -- Army Suicide Prevention Month

The Army has extended Suicide Prevention Week to the entire month of September. The theme for 2014 is "Enhancing Resiliency -- Strengthening our Professionals".

Fort Huachuca Suicide Prevention Activities include:

Sept. 3, 10, 17 and 24 -- 9:30 -- 10:30 a.m. -- Ask, Care, Escort, ACE, Suicide Prevention Training at Murr Community Center. This class is open to all Soldiers, Civilians, Family member spouses and Army contractors.

Sept. 9 -- 6 p.m. -- ACE Suicide Prevention Training for Family member spouses at the Post Chapel. This class is for Family member spouses who want to learn more about the warning signs, risk factors, protective factors and how to help prevent suicide.

Sept. 10 -- World Suicide Prevention Day, 6 p.m., candle light vigil at Sierra Vista Veterans' Memorial Park, Fry Boulevard. The Fort Huachuca Army Substance Abuse program is partnering with the Sierra Vista Community Coalition to host this candle light vigil to remember loved ones who were lost to suicide.

Sept. 11 -- 11 a.m. -- 1 p.m. -- Suicide prevention awareness display in Greely Hall lobby.

Sept. 23 -- 7:30 -- 11:30 a.m. -- ACE-Suicide Intervention training at the Army Substance Abuse Program Office. This four-hour class is designed for junior leaders and first-line supervisors, but is open to all Soldiers, Civilians, Family member spouses and Army contractors.

Sept. 25, 11 a.m. --1 p.m. -- Suicide prevention awareness display at the Fort Huachuca Main Exchange.

For additional information or if you would like to arrange suicide prevention training for your unit/agency, please call 520.533.2071.