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ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. —Each September, the Department of Defense observes Suicide Prevention Month to highlight prevention efforts and resources. This year the DoD SPM campaign slogan is “Connect to Protect: Support is Within Reach,” emphasizing the important role connections with family, friends, the community and resources play in preventing suicide.
Community Ready and Resilience Integrator Sean Green, with the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, said the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to connect, especially during challenging times.
“September is the month as a community and nation we highlight suicide awareness,” he said. “However, as a community and nation, [it is important] to take daily opportunities to connect with others and recognize [that] the little things matter in everyone’s life forge a path toward connectedness and overall resilience.”
CECOM and APG Senior Commander Maj. Gen. Robert Edmonson II said we have a responsibility to take care of our teammates and ensure they know they are not alone. Little actions can help make a positive difference in someone’s life.
“Everyday interactions build strong relationships, which act as a protective factor against suicide,” he said. “Send a text or call, greet people when you see them – it really is the little things like that which can make a difference. This has become especially important in our new teleworking world.”
Edmonson said you can strengthen your resilience by developing healthy relationships.
“Every single member of the CECOM and APG family matters to me,” he said. “You are all important – I need you, the Army needs you.”
ACE
CECOM Command Sgt. Maj. Kristie Brady said she recently led a class on suicide prevention at Fort Detrick, Maryland. Prevention boils down to caring- caring leaders who listen, pay attention and who reach out, she said.
“Personal connection for all human beings is an absolute sense of belonging that establishes and builds trust through a layer of vulnerability; something I work hard to establish every day and throughout my career,” she said. “One suicide is one too many, not in my family, not in my Army.”
Brady highlighted the Army ACE Suicide Intervention Program.
“Ask-Care-Escort, or ACE, is an Army tool for leaders to help connect our Soldiers with the resources they need, to protect them,” she said. “This is accomplished by listening without judgment, educating yourself, advocating for substance or mental health treatment, supporting friends and loved ones and talking about your feelings and struggles.”
APG leader shares her experience
APG Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Ruth Drewitt discussed seeing a therapist during her career. She said 11 years ago she was having symptoms mimicking a heart attack.
“The physician just couldn’t understand, so they dug a little deeper, I was having anxiety attacks,” she said.
During her career, she experienced stress due to the impact of multiple deployments while serving in leadership roles.
“I had to be strong for everyone else, I couldn’t be scared or nervous,” she said.
Drewitt said depression can cause physical pain and from her experience, she can empathize with individuals who have behavioral health issues. She said Army leadership can raise awareness about suicide prevention by being authentic, by sharing personal stories and talking about it often-not just during Suicide Prevention Month.
According to Drewitt, seeking mental health treatment can help a person develop coping strategies for stressful situations. What keeps her motivated is the desire to be present for her son and the rest of her family.
“I think the combination of [seeking] behavioral health [treatment] and having a support system, knowing someone cares and being transparent, that can make a difference,” she said.
Drewitt said every little thing matters. Pay attention to your teammates, she said.
“I think when you pay attention to people you are able to insert yourself in ways that you can intervene before they make that final decision,” she said.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Proclamation
On Sept. 9, the APG Garrison Command Team signed the APG Suicide Prevention Awareness Proclamation during a ceremony at the Army Substance Abuse Program building, signifying their support.
“We ask everyone to strengthen and foster an environment and culture that not only supports help- seeking behavior but encourages it,” said Quentin Johnson, APG Garrison public affairs director. “It’s not too late, if you need help or want to speak to someone reach out now.”
Vivian Jackson, Army Substance Abuse Program said encourages members of Team APG to discuss suicide and mental health.
“By talking about suicide and mental health, the stigma surrounding those topics is broken,” she said. “Supporting those silently struggling by reiterating the fact that “It’s okay not to be okay. We can prevent suicide.”
Resources
Service members and veterans who are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, and those who know a Service member or veteran in crisis, can call the Veterans/Military Crisis Line for confidential support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text to 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. Additional resources include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and Military OneSource: 1-800-342-9647.
Jackson can be contacted at 410-278-0671 or 410-278-3784.
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