FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. -- September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the installation Suicide Prevention program manager wants everyone to know there are always other options, even in life's toughest moments.
"When people say that's the only choice they had, that's not true," said Craig Hannum. "Today's not your last worst day… nor is today your last best day."
Hannum elaborated on the Army's 2017 theme "Be There" and why a month for suicide prevention education is necessary.
"It helps reintroduce that focus…at unit level," he said adding that accountability among peers is necessary.
To help units connect on this issue, the Medical Company is hosting a unit run Sept. 21. In addition, suicide prevention training is held 9:30-10:30 a.m. every Wednesday at Murr Community Center. For more information, call 520.533.2071.
Suicide is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. According to the National Center for Disease Control's most recent study in 2015, suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 15-34. In the United States that year there were twice as many suicides (44,193) as homicides (17,793).
If you suspect someone is suicidal, ask them, Hannum said "If it's a friend, you may be nervous… but I've seen that in most cases, the person responds very positively."
The next step is to urge them to get professional help.
As an extension of that professional help, Fort Huachuca is reaching out to the local community to help reduce suicide among young people. Hannum recently taught a suicide prevention course for the teaching staff at Buena High School to better enable them to support their students.
"Building resiliency at that critical age from 13 to 18 means we will have less issues when they become adults," he said.
Hannum said it was important to put the focus on the family and help them understand how to relate to their suicidal loved one in the most beneficial way.
"You can't dehumanize them," he said. He clarifies that once a suicidal person receives help, they will need family support, but they're usually ready to move on. Taking extraordinary actions to avoid the issue or bringing it up often can have a negative impact.
Every Soldier is not just part of the military, but part of the larger community. To learn more about suicide prevention in the Army, visit http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/default.asp.
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