FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- The 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 1st Infantry Division brought suicide awareness to the forefront during September as part of the Army's annual observance of Suicide Awareness Month.
The theme throughout the Army was "Enhancing Resiliency -- Strengthening Our Professionals."
Each battalion in the 4th MEB trained on suicide awareness to ensure a high level of leader-to-Soldier interaction. Troops refreshed training on the Soldier Leader Risk Reduction Tool, which helps to identify at-risk troops. The 4th MEB's training focus was to ensure Soldiers, family members and civilians have the tools to build resilience, intervene and act when necessary to save lives. The training centered on engaged leadership and Soldier interaction.
Col. Andy Munera, commander, 4th MEB, emphasized the importance of the training.
"Just this last week, we experienced an unfortunate event, but, due to quick actions -- identifying and reacting to warning signs -- one of our junior noncommissioned officers saved one of our Soldiers' lives," Munera said. "Everyone goes through ebbs and flows in life, but the bonds between us Soldiers need to be strong. This training is critical to continuing the growth and strengthening of these bonds."
Lt. Col. Chad Goyette, commander, 92nd Military Police Battalion, 4th MEB, said training like this builds balanced, healthy and self-confident Soldiers who will remain resilient and enabled for excellence in an era of high operational tempo and persistent conflict.
Many suicide prevention classes are regularly offered to Soldiers within the brigade, but Sgt. 1st Class Darren Horve, current operations noncommissioned officer, 92nd MP Bn., conducted a Military Resilience Training seminar Sept. 11 that many participating Soldiers said was new to them.
Horve said MRT was a key component in the prevention of suicides in the Army, and one of the primary tools is to identify negative thoughts, what the MRT program calls "thinking traps."
"These traps are narrow thoughts that are all too easy to fall into," Horve said. "Suicidal thoughts can emerge from these types of traps."
Horve said Soldiers could spiral into suicidal thoughts once they believe nothing would change in their lives. Understanding a thinking trap helps the affected individual look forward and know it may have just been a bad week.
"Without understanding mental traps, he could fixate on it and fall into a pattern that perpetuates his thoughts, and this could lead to a suicide attempt," Horve told the Soldiers. "Through MRT competency, we can learn how to identify and then combat these negative thoughts."
Chap. (Maj.) Nathan McLean, senior spiritual leader, 4th MEB, said the health and welfare of the brigade's Soldiers and family members are vital to the success of the organization.
"While we are always concerned for each and every Soldier in our formation, concern on its own is never enough," McLean said. "We must train and prepare in order to ensure the highest level of care for our Soldiers and families - something they each have earned."
Munera said one goal of the event is to eliminate the stigma that getting help will jeopardize a Soldier's Army career.
A February article on the Army's website reported suicide numbers dropped in 2013 from the previous year, but some senior Army leaders said there is more work to be done.
"I honestly think we should continue the training based on the fact it reinforces the reality of additional hardships in military life as opposed to civilian life," said Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Preal, operations noncommissioned officer, 94th Engineer Battalion, 4th MEB.
Preal, who conducted training for his unit, said it was a general military rule for Soldiers to be tough and push through their hard times. He also said training lets them know they are not alone, while giving them tools to help recover from their adversities.
Now, as an MRT instructor, Preal said he could help Soldiers who may be experiencing what he went through.
"I was almost embarrassed to ask for help during some of those times," Preal said. "I am here to help these Soldiers successfully come through their hard times."
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