Fort Drum Suicide Prevention Program conducts Gatekeeper training

By Melody Everly, Fort Drum Garrison Public AffairsOctober 15, 2015

Suicide Prevention training
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Oct. 15, 2015) -- When it comes to the safety and well-being of Soldiers, the Army strives to provide a wealth of resources to assist those who are dealing with challenges. To provide a more in-depth approach to responding to the needs of their battle buddies, Soldiers and Civilians completed a "Gatekeeper" training course held Sept. 29-30 at the Army Substance Abuse Program building.

The course expands upon the general principles of Ask, Care, Escort training -- a requirement for all Soldiers -- said Lori Starr, Suicide Prevention Program manager for Fort Drum's Army Substance Abuse Program. Starr said that during the first day of the training, participants were asked what they hoped to take away from the course.

Most said that they could easily recognize the signs that an individual might be in trouble, but they were unsure of how best to handle the situation.

"The biggest difference between this and other suicide prevention training opportunities is that the other programs deal more with identification of those who may need help," she said. "This class is more of a first-responder type of workshop."

The course, Starr said, is aimed toward teaching participants how to speak with troubled individuals in an effective manner and connect them to the resources and services that can provide them with the help they need.

"We want them to be comfortable enough to engage in a conversation, assess the situation and help the individual to implement a temporary safety plan until they can get them to that next resource point," she said.

The Army requires that there is one trained Gatekeeper for every platoon or every 40 Soldiers, so the classes are largely composed of Soldiers, but Starr emphasized that the training is applicable to others as well.

"It's not just a Soldier-centered training," she said. "We do encourage civilian staff who work in a one-on-one situation with Soldiers to attend as well."

Chaplain (Capt.) Kevin Moses, a Gatekeeper course trainer, said that one of the most important things that those who interact with Soldiers can do to prevent suicides is to watch their behavior.

"Pay attention to the way they normally act, so when there is a subtle change, they know what to do," he said.

Moses said that although chaplains can be a wonderful resource for struggling Soldiers, rarely do these individuals come straight to the chaplains for assistance.

"When they come to me, normally they have either been referred or they have so many things going on that they are desperate," he said. "For younger leaders to be able to intervene way before that is ideal."

First Sgt. Douglas Clark of 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, said he relies upon leaders within his battalion to assist in caring for his Soldiers.

"They are the ones who are actually working with the lower-enlisted Soldiers every day, and they can identify the precursors that may lead to suicide," he said. "Lower-ranking Soldiers are going to be more comfortable talking to leaders within their battalion than they would be coming to their first sergeant."

Clark also said that he has learned a great deal about what to do for those Soldiers who might be referred to him for additional assistance.

"This class has given me the tools I need to reach out to the Soldiers and to other programs on Fort Drum that can provide them with the help they need," he said.

Sgt. Joshua Pearl, a junior leader for 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, said he felt more comfortable talking to his Soldiers after having attended the class.

"I work directly with my (Soldiers)," he said. "This class has taught me how to check up on them a little bit better, and it gives me more of an idea how to respond -- it breaks it down and is a little more thorough."

After the instruction portion of the course, attendees spent a great deal of time practicing the skills and strategies they had learned in role-play situations where they portrayed either the responder or the troubled individual.

"It's important to have the opportunity to practice in a safe environment before they find themselves in a position where they are having to use these skills for the first time," Starr said. "The more they practice, the more comfortable they will be, and the better they will be able to help their fellow Soldiers."

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