Freedom 6 Sends: Sept. is Suicide Awareness Month

By Lt. Gen. Donald M. Campbell Jr., commanding general, U.S. Army EuropeSeptember 2, 2014

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Hello to our outstanding USAREUR team,

I want to take this opportunity to talk to you, our U.S. Army Europe Soldiers, civilians and families, as you remain our strength, demonstrating unparalleled skill and professionalism in supporting our great Army and defending our nation.

However, you can only do this because of the personal resiliency you maintain and improve upon every day.

This month we call special attention to our ongoing efforts at building individual resiliency skills during the Army's observance of Suicide Awareness Month.

This year's theme, "Enhancing Resiliency -- Strengthening Our Professionals," reinforces our pledge to not only build resilience, but to support those in need and in turn, enhance performance, increase readiness and build a stronger force.

I challenge every member of our team to seek training opportunities, use available services and resources and continue to develop skills which build personal resilience and lead to positive outcomes during periods of increased stress.

I want you to hunt the good stuff as we prepare for a dynamic fall and winter season.

Leaders at all levels must set the conditions for enduring culture change in our profession by being interveners instead of bystanders and by living the Army Values daily.

Leaders must also bolster resiliency through education and through training and awareness activities.

These include training in Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness, prevention of sexual harassment and assault, suicide prevention, assessments and intervention techniques and activities that support stigma reduction.

To that end, this month U.S. Army Europe will also host a Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program Senior Leader Summit that will focus on the "I.A.M. Strong Campaign" - Intervene to Prevent, Act to Prevent, Motivate to Prevent.

We have an immense opportunity and responsibility to shape our future leaders. Our team is already strong, and by working together, we can be even stronger.

We will continue to strengthen our profession by empowering those around us to build a culture of resilience!

Strong Soldiers, Strong Teams!

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