DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. -- The Detroit Arsenal held a Suicide Prevention Stand Down event on September 7, 2017. Although the stand down is just for one day, training and activities will be conducted throughout September as this month is recognized in the Army as Suicide Prevention Month.
The event included presentations from Army Materiel Command's Roderick Johnson, surviving veteran spouse Lana Waldorf, and Detroit Arsenal's Herb Thomas. U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command Commanding General Maj. Gen. Clark LeMasters kicked off the event by talking about our Suicide Prevention Stand Down.
"This is not something that we would prefer to talk about. But this is reality and we're very concerned about the business we do with the Army," LeMasters commented.
As the Army Materiel Command's Suicide Prevention and Army Substance Abuse Program Manager, Johnson talked about factors that may increase or decrease risk for suicide..
"The key to all of this is to connect," Johnson told our audience. "What you are connecting with and who you are connecting with. This thing works. Learn how to say 'no.' It is ok to say 'no.' Put yourself on, what I call, the top of the food chain. You need to take care of yourself."
Waldorf, a surviving veteran spouse, came here today with much experience building partnerships throughout the country and internationally with business, church, and governmental leaders. She is also been involved in helping veterans overcome trauma, PTSD, and depression.
"I think that this subject needs to be discussed. And I appreciate TACOM for having this kind of training for this. I believe that this kind of training really saves lives," Waldorf told us.
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