FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Soldiers and civilians attended a suicide prevention awareness open house Sept. 15 at Army Community Service.
Upon entering the auditorium attendees received a bag filled with useful information on the risk factors and warning signs for suicide, a guide to cope with deployment and combat stress and a list of phone numbers for several resources available to Soldiers and civilians. There were also representatives from several agencies from both on- and off-post on hand to answer questions and provide information on the resources available to combat suicide.
Maj. Gen. Russell Czerw, commander, Fort Sam Houston and Army Medical Department Center and School provided the opening remarks for the ceremony citing some serious statistics, "Since January 2009 the Army has experienced nearly 160 suicides," he said. "In society today we are two times more likely to lose a loved one to suicide than having a homicide committed again them."
Czerw spoke about the numerous programs the Army has put into place to help combat suicide such as Military One Source, ACE and Battlemind Training.
"I feel the Army is putting forth the effort, taking the reins to combat suicide by using training intervention programs to prevent any future suicides for service members and their Families," said retired Capt. Lanise Cotton, a social worker.
"It's all our responsibility, let's take (suicide) seriously and work together," Czerw said.
"It was very informative, they brought personal experiences into the speeches to bring it down home," Pfc. Jason Calahan, G Company, 232nd Medical Battalion.
"My hope today is not only that you know the warning signs of suicide but you understand them," said Dr. Rosa Espinosa, licensed psychologist and counseling services director, Our Lady of the Lady University and guest speaker for the event.
She talked about issues that can cause stress in a Soldier's life and the warning signs and symptoms of depression.
"Take the signals seriously - what is the person really telling you," Espinosa said.
"Suicide is a permanent escape, it's not a solution for a temporary problem," she reminded everyone.
Trudy Lomex shared her heart-wrenching experience of losing her son to suicide and her struggle to move past it and seek counseling.
She encouraged those in the audience to talk to others. "I advise anybody, any situation you are going through, talk to someone. That's all we want, someone to listen."
In closing, she said, "Every 16 minutes someone dies by suicide; every 17 minutes someone is left to make sense out of it."
"I think it's pretty cool that the lady came and told her story. It made me a little upset. I do see signs of people being suicidal, especially in basic training. It's hard to cope with everything. This was a good event and if I see signs I have numbers to call," said Pvt. Leila Zeighami.
U.S. Army Garrison Commander Col. Mary Garr gave closing remarks. Garr talked about the challenges in a Soldier's life and her personal experiences with suicide.
"Always be vigilant within yourselves, your Families and with your friends. If something bad happens down the road know that you did everything that you could to prevent it," she said.
"You have got your whole lives ahead of you. You have doors that open and close all the time, you will have successes and failures. Don't make that failure your end point."
The Soldiers replied, "HOOAH!"
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