FORT STEWART, Ga. - I am confident that everyone has heard how important fitness is to me, but I want to make it clear to everyone - fitness is more than just your ability to do physical training. Comprehensive Soldier Fitness encompasses the Spiritual, Family, Social, and Emotional Dimensions as well as the Physical.
One suicide is one too many in our ranks and has devastating effects throughout our community. Whenever a suicide occurs, the loss impacts his Family, friends, and unit. People close to him may feel guilty, and the morale of his unit may suffer over the loss. Behavioral Health is a resource available to assist in treating our emotionally wounded Soldiers.
The services provided by Behavioral Health are vital to ensure our Soldiers are resilient, especially in these times of persistent conflict and high operational tempo. Everyone needs to know and understand that these services are available and use of these services has no negative impact on his/her military career. Seeking this type of assistance is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it is a sign of strength to be proactive and identify that you may have a problem, swallow your pride, and take action to get the necessary assistance.
Ensuring Soldiers have access to Behavioral Health services and that no stigma is attached for seeking treatment is leader responsibility. Attaching stigma only prolongs any suffering and interferes with treatment. Educating our Soldiers and Families on the indicators and symptoms of depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder will allow us to identify those that need assistance. Educating our Soldiers and Families on the importance of this program will help reduce and eliminate any stigma. Encourage your Soldiers and Families to seek assistance if the symptoms of depression or PTSD are identified.
If you personally feel you need treatment but fear there may be some sort of negative consequence, please make an appointment with Behavioral Health now. There are numerous people of all ranks who have sought treatment. The Web site realwarriors.net contains testimonials of Soldiers of various ranks discussing their situation and advocating use of these services--check it out for yourself! If you feel your Soldier-spouse needs help, please reach out to your unit chain of command, your unit chaplain, your doctor or even a fellow Soldier and let them know so they can help get your Soldier to the behavioral health help he/she needs. You have my personal assurance that your Soldier will not get in trouble. We've recently had a couple of spouses and parents come forward and notify their unit leadership that their Soldier needed behavioral health treatment and we were able to get the Soldier in immediately without any repercussions.
Let's take care of each other and ensure that those who need assistance get it -- without fear of any negative consequences. This is critical for the health of the Army Family now and as we move ahead into the future.
Rock of the Marne!
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