Suicide must not take one more Soldier. The Army works on several fronts to help Soldiers and their Families deal with the pressures of persistent conflict. We help them build resiliency and, through word and deed, we constantly convey that it is not only okay, but vital to get help during personal crisis.

Suicide prevention is a shared responsibility of commanders, leaders, soldiers, Army civilians at all levels, and their family members. Through leadership, education, and respect for each other, we can reduce or eliminate the stigma associated with seeking help for suicidal ideations and actions. Soldiers, DA civilians, and family members with emotional and psychological issues deserve healthy, supportive environments. The Army is committed to raising awareness of the tools and resources available to prevent suicide and increase resiliency.

Facts

The Army has instituted a multi-disciplinary, holistic approach to health promotion, risk reduction, and suicide prevention that accounts for the many challenges our Soldiers, Families and Army Civilians face. These challenges include substance abuse, financial and relationship problems, post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and legal issues.

The Army increased screening efforts to improve the diagnosis and treatment of Soldiers through pre- and post-deployment health assessments, standardized screening for those exposed to concussive events, and implemented the Pain Management Task Force to manage the use of pain medications and adopt best practices Army-wide.

The Army continues to partner with behavioral health professionals to constantly refine and improve its programs, including the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resiliency in Service Members (STARRS). A partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health, this is the largest study of suicide and mental health among military personnel ever undertaken.

The Army's suicide prevention efforts are constantly evolving to provide our Army Family with the resources they need. The steps we've taken include improving health promotion, decreasing risky behavior, and strengthening suicide prevention efforts, which includes expanded training to intervene to prevent someone's suicide.

Suicide is a very complex issue and there is no "smoking gun" cause.

Resources:

Army Suicide Prevention Program (Army G-1): www.preventsuicide.army.mil

Defense.gov Suicide Prevention and Awareness: www.defense.gov/home/features/2012/0812_suicide-prevention

Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) - Suicide Prevention: www.dcoe.health.mil/SuicidePreventionWarriors.aspx

Real Warriors: www.realwarriors.net

DoD/VA Suicide Outreach: www.suicideoutreach.org

Veterans CrisisLine (VA): veteranscrisisline.net

Military Health System: www.health.mil/NewsAndMultimedia/Special_Features/suicide-prevention-awareness.aspx

Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center: www-nehc.med.navy.mil/healthyliving/psychologicalhealth/suicide_prevention

Air Force Suicide Prevention: www.af.mil/suicideprevention.asp

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

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Army Substance Abuse Counselors play a vital role in counseling and caring for Army Soldiers battling substance abuse. Working closely with Soldiers and Commanders, ASAP counselors have a vital role in maintaining the health and readiness of our force. The Army has more than doubled its corps of counselors to ensure each and every Soldier and family member has access to the best care possible to ensure readiness of the force. We currently have 487 counselors across the Army's posts, camps and stations.

The Army initiated the Confidential Alcohol Treatment and Education Pilot (CATEP) program in 2009 as a result of concerns regarding confidentiality of Soldiers who self-refer to the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP). Ft Lewis, Ft Richardson, and Schofield Barracks were selected as pilot sites beginning in JUL 2009. In the pilot, Soldiers are offered confidential education and/or treatment if (1) the alcohol abuse is the basis for self-referral and (2) the Soldiers are not in duty positions where lack of command notification could endanger mission (e.g., Personnel Reliability Program, aviation, and public safety). CATEP was evaluated during APR 2010 at which time it was deemed a success by the Sec Army and expanded to Fort Carson, Fort Riley and Fort Leonard Wood starting in AUG 2010. CATEP continues to trend to a positive impact on Soldier self referrals for treatment and education.

myPRIME is a virtual/online version of the Army Drug and Alcohol Prevention Training (ADAPT) classroom program. The ADAPT program curricula is an evidence based training tool that provides Soldiers with the ability to self-assess high-risk behaviors and influence changes in attitude, belief, and behavior. Implementation of myPRIME addresses a gap of Army Substance Abuse Program services in theater where there was previously no tool for Commanders to utilize with Soldiers exhibiting substance abuse issues.

Resources:

Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP): acsap.army.mil

Tobacco Cessation: www.ucanquit2.org

OPSS: Operation Supplement Safety: hprc-online.org/dietary-supplements/opss

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The Army expects Soldiers to live up to its core values. Respect is a bedrock Army value; hazing, in any form, is not. Permitting or ignoring hazing does more harm than good to a Soldier and unit; we know it destroys the affected Soldier and the trust of the unit; trust and teamwork are hallmarks of a unit's ability to accomplish missions, protect lives, and go into harm's way when ordered.

Incidents concerning the assault, cruelty and maltreatment of Soldiers are punishable under Articles 128 and 93 (respectively) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) which are subject to punitive punishment. In addition to these charges a violator may also be subject to Article 92 of the UCMJ (Failure to obey a lawful general order or regulation). Article 80 (Attempts), Article 81 (Conspiracy), Article 124 (Maiming), and Article 133 (Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman), Article 134 (Drunk and disorderly conduct, and/or Soliciting another to commit an offense).

Soldiers are encouraged to report any incident which violates any Article of the UCMJ or actions which are not in compliance with the good order and discipline of the U.S. Army, to their chain of command, military police, chaplain, inspector general or equal opportunity representative.

Resources:

Army Regulation 600-20 - Army Command Policy: Chapter 4-20 "Hazing"

Hazing Tri-signed Letter

Senior leaders combat hazing

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The Department of Defense (DOD) initiated the integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) to streamline processes and procedures to ensure a seamless transition from military service to the department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for continued care and entitlements. Currently the process is governed by more than 50 policies, regulations, and procedures. As a result, questions have arisen concerning policies, definitions, timelines and procedures that cause confusion in the field particularly for Soldiers going through the IDES process.

Facts

The Vice Chief of Staff of the Army (VCSA) in response to the challenges above, directed under the HQDA EXORD 080-12, Army Disability Evaluation System (DES) Standardization, published 17 Feb 2012, the development of a plan to standardize DES processes and improve efficiencies from initiation of the first temporary profile, issuance of a permanent profile and a determination that a Soldier be either returned to duty (RTD) or medically separated or retired.

Resources

Human Resource Command (HRC): Understanding Integrated Disability Evaluation System

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The Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) program exists so the Army can prevent sexual harassment and sexual assaults before they occur. Our goal is to eliminate sexual assaults and sexual harassment by creating a climate that respects the dignity of every member of the Army Family. Additionally, we strive to:

• Reduce stigma of reporting
• Protect the victim
• Increase prevention, investigation, prosecution and victim care capabilities
• Increase training and resources
• Refine and sustain response capability

Sexual harassment and sexual assault are inconsistent with Army Values and will not be tolerated. One assault is one too many. We must foster a climate of trust that respects and protects our Soldiers, Civilians, and Family members. We are aggressively implementing and expanding the Army's comprehensive Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program. SHARP is a commander's program. We are committed to ensuring engaged leadership at all levels to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment. We will hold offenders appropriately accountable. It is critical to good order and discipline that commanders retain authority and responsibility for the prevention of and response to sexual assault and the disposition of sexual assault cases.

Army leaders at every level must:

• Establish a command climate of trust and accountability
• Reinforce that command climate with continuous education and training
• Use command climate surveys and other appropriate tools to ensure sustainment of the right environment within their organizations

Resources:

Sexual Assault Awareness Month: www.army.mil/saam

DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response: www.sapr.mil

DoD SAFE Helpline - Sexual Assault Support for the DoD Community

1. (877) 995-5247
2. Text: 55-247 (inside the U.S.)
3. Text: 202-470-5546 (outside the U.S.)

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Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness is the U.S. Army's training program designed to improve the psychological health and resilience of Soldiers, Families and DA Civilians ("PT for the mind").

The Resilience Training that CSF2 provides equips individuals with skills so they are better able to cope with adversity, perform better in stressful situations, and thrive in life. The end result is a Total Army team of physically healthy and psychologically strong individuals whose resilience and total fitness enables them to thrive in the military and civilian sector and to meet a wide range of operational demands.

Resources:

Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness: csf.army.mil

CSF2 Tri-signed Letter

CSF2 Directive: SecArmy/CSA dual-signed message, Army Directive 2013-07, and enclosures

Soldier Fitness Tracker: www.sft.army.mil

CSF2-Performance and Resilience Enhancement Program: csfprep.army.mil

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Soldiers, commanders and civilians all share the responsibility of looking out for each other while deployed. Combat zones, IEDs, mortar attacks, you name it, it's all part of the mission.

To address deployment health conditions such as PTSD, TBI, depression, combat related injuries and substance abuse, the Army launched the Deployment Health Assessment Program (DHAP) to identify and address health conditions and to provide soldiers the proper care they need to be Army Strong.

For a Soldier, an important part of getting proper care is learning to ask for help. To reduce stigma, DHAP works with commanders to encourage healthy supportive environments where Soldiers, regardless of rank, feel empowered and comfortable coming forward to ask for help. Through DHAP participation, Soldiers are given the opportunity to assess their health and have a confidential conversation with a health care provider, and " if necessary, receive the referral care they need.

Facts

There are three (3) Deployment Health Assessments (DHAs) conducted at specific windows of time during the deployment cycle to help ensure Soldier and DA Civilian health and well-being.

• The Pre (Pre-DHA) prepares a Soldier for deployment and makes sure physical and emotional readiness. The Pre is taken within 60 days of deployment.
• The Post (PDHA) screens for any deployment related injuries or behavioral concerns that may have occurred downrange. The Post is taken within 30 days before or after redeployment.
• Reassessment (PDHRA) is taken 90-180 days after redeployment to screen for health issues that evolve over time. What may be perceived as normal aches, stresses or frustrations could be symptoms of behavioral or physical health concerns that need proper care.

Resources

U.S. Army Deployment Health Assessment Program: http://dhap.army.mil

DHAP Factsheet

Deployment Health Assessment Program AKO: www.us.army.mil/suite/page/598655

Deployment Health Clinical Center (DHCC): www.pdhealth.mil

DOD Instruction 6490.03 (Deployment Health)

STAND-TO! "Army Deployment Health Assessments"

STAND-TO! "Army Deployment Health Assessment Program"

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