USAG-Yongsan 'stand down' provides interactive suicide prevention training

By Cpl. Lee Min-hwiMarch 17, 2009

USAG-Yongsan 'stand down' provides interactive training
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

<strong>YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea</strong> - U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan officials provided an interactive suicide prevention training program March 12 to Soldiers and Civilian employees in the Multipurpose Training Facility for the Army-wide "Stand-Down."

"We all know that this training is mandatory now for everyone in the workforce, but more importantly, we have to know about suicide," said USAG-Yongsan Commander Col. Dave Hall. "This garrison has the institutional knowledge to figure out this problem. It is not just about Soldiers, but it is about all of us."

The training presented a new suicide prevention program, "Beyond the Front," which is an interactive video that presents two realistic scenarios.

The video placed trainees in the perspective of a Soldier under extreme stress and showed them how to observe the warning signs of suicide. It contained several interactive options for the audience to choose from. In essence, they were in the shoes of someone with suicidal ideation.

"It is an interactive video that enhances the Soldiers' abilities to recognize risk factors and warning signs and how to intervene in order to prevent suicidal behavior," said Robert Clifton, human resource director. "The most important thing we wanted people to get out it was to gain courage to ask tough questions."

One of the primary lessons that came from this training was that it is possible to prevent suicide. The training taught that suicidal behavior is highest when a person sees no way out, fears things may get worse or feels hopeless or helpless. This situation is compounded by the use of alcohol or other substances which impairs judgment.

"You need to know that exposure to extreme stress can actually change who you are; how you think and how you feel," said USAG-Yongsan Family Life Chaplain Maj. Leo Mora. "It is imperative that you find a way to handle this stress so that it does not lead to suicidal ideation."

The training emphasizes Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which not only affects Soldiers but can also affect Family Members and the community as well. The possible symptoms of PTSD are a persistent sense of sadness or hopelessness, isolation, bad dreams, intrusive recollections of the trauma and exaggerated startle response.

Depression is a medical condition caused by a number of factors, but is generally seen as an injury. Like any serious medical condition, depression needs to be treated.

"It is good to put an emphasis on seeking help because nobody should be depressed and think about suicide," said Wattananporn Videtto, Equal Employment Opportunity Manager and a training participant.

Trainees received ACE cards which highlights the importance of "Ask, Care and Escort" when they see someone who needs help.

Mora said it is important to seek professional help, rather than trying to solve the problem alone.

"What is considered strength by being self-reliant can potentially become a weakness," Mora said. "That's when you pull in people from the U.S. Chaplain Corps, Social Work Services or the Mental Health Community for help."

<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/usag-yongsan/3360999243/" title="DSC_0002 by usag.yongsan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3442/3360999243_72bb8cc9bd.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Garrison Stand Down provides interactive training" /></a></center>

Related Links:

USAG-Yongsan Flickr Site

USAG-Yongsan Official Site