Fort Bragg observes National Suicide Prevention Month

By Brig. Gen. Michael X. GarrettSeptember 10, 2010

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Fort Bragg is committed to the health, safety and well being of its Soldiers, Department of the Army civilians and Family members. To emphasize this commitment, Fort Bragg is joining the Army and the nation in observing National Suicide Prevention Month during September 2010. Fort Bragg's observance during the entire month of September will use "Shoulder to Shoulder: I Will Never Quit on Life" as this year's theme.

Each one of us has the responsibility and must be committed to reach out and help our fellow Soldiers, DA civilians or Family members who need the strength of the Army. Together we will make a difference by helping those at risk and prevent suicides.

While suicide prevention is an institutional Army program, leaders must take this opportunity to plan, coordinate and execute suicide prevention education, awareness and training programs using the Army G-1 directed models of Ask, Care, Escort and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills. All leaders, particularly noncommissioned officers and first line leaders, must make your units, the installation and communities suicide awareness and prevention environments. Focus on all aspects of health and wellness to promote total wellbeing across the force.

The XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg Suicide Prevention webpage may be accessed at www.bragg.army.mil/dhr/shoulder2shoulder.asp. A variety of resources are also available via the U.S. Army Public Health Command (Provisional) at www.army.mil/suite/page/503094 (AKO login required) and the Army G-1 Suicide Prevention website at www.preventsuicide.army.mil.

Leaders must empower Soldiers, DA civilians and Family members with intervention techniques and ways to seek help such as hotlines, crisis centers, religious organizations and the American Red Cross. Leaders must also familiarize Soldiers, DA civilians and Family members with Army and local agencies/programs and tell them how to access them. Ensure Soldiers know their unit chaplain, military Family life consultant and behavioral health counseling services and how to contact them.

In order to ensure full awareness and support of the Fort Bragg observance of National Suicide Prevention Month, a list of grouped actions and activities is provided as follows:

Unit focused actions

Aca,!Ac Ramped up ACE and ASIST training through unit chaplains (proponent for suicide

prevention training).

Aca,!Ac Include suicide prevention in weekend safety briefings especially before long weekends.

Aca,!Ac Blanket workplaces, common areas and barracks with suicide prevention materials such as ACE cards, posters and training tip cards.

Aca,!Ac Conduct required unit risk inventories and redeployment URIs.

Aca,!Ac Inspect suicide prevention training using the Inspector general operational readiness assessment checklist.

Aca,!Ac Family focused actions

Aca,!Ac Push e-mails through FRSAs to Families informing spouses of all resources and agencies that provide assistance.

Aca,!Ac Post to unit Facebooks all Army, national and local suicide prevention program websites.

Aca,!Ac Conduct ACE and ASIST training for Family readiness groups through unit chaplains.

Community actions

Aca,!Ac Multimedia campaign coordinated by the XVIII Airborne Corps Public Affairs office from mid July through the end of September emphasizing suicide prevention month theme "Shoulder to Shoulder" I Will Never Quit on Life."

Aca,!Ac Family fun run/walk on Sept. 18 themed "Never Quit on Life."

Aca,!Ac Worldwide suicide prevention theme: "Many Faces, Many Places" will be used for the world-wide suicide prevention day luncheon Friday with Maj. Gen. and Mrs. Graham.

Aca,!Ac Static displays throughout September at the PX and commissary to include Sept. 25, "Rock the Fort" concert and Retiree Appreciation Day.

Aca,!Ac Blanket the post through PAO with leaflets, flyers, posters and banners.

Aca,!Ac A student essay/poem contest through the Paraglide and Fayetteville Observer with winning submission by age groups published.

Aca,!Ac Life Lines suicide prevention training for Fort Bragg DoDEA and local public school teachers targeting the 10 to 17 year old age group.

Aca,!Ac Ramp up applied suicide intervention skills training throughout September with several events including ASIST workshops Sept. 14 and 15, Sept. 30 through Oct. 1 and an ASIST trainer luncheon Sept. 16.

For additional guidance and information, contact the Suicide Prevention Program Manager at 907-5409 or by e-mail at larry.holland1@conus.army.mil