U.S. Army Garrison - Detroit Arsenal, Mich. -- The Detroit Arsenal joined the Army in designating September as Suicide Prevention Month. The Garrison observance began Sept. 5 with a presentation on suicide prevention by KnowResolve at the Joint Dining Facility at Selfridge ANG.
KnowResolve is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting mental health and reducing youth suicides through outreach, advocacy and education. KnowResolve's three speakers shared a message of pain, recovery, connection and hope. Suicidal tendencies are caused by pressure, problems and pain along with weak coping skills.
"Suicide is the result of too much emotional pain and poor coping skills," said Jean Larch, a crisis intervention counselor. Her message included that everyone matters, everyone hurts, and everyone has an inner champion/bully which is your inner voice. Larch believes the road to staying alive can be painfully bumpy at times, but hopes and dreams must not be forgotten. Persons struggling with suicidal thoughts must understand they are never really alone, and today should not be the last page of their life story.
In addition to sharing his personal story of losing his father to suicide, KnowResolve's Dennis Liegghio outlined warnings and risk factors, tips for coping with distress, and how to respond in a crisis. Warning signs include problems sleeping, mood swings, giving away possessions and sudden happiness after a long bout of depression. Sudden happiness could be sign that the person has made a decision to end their life. Additional signs of crisis are performing poorly at work and feelings of failure. Persons most at risk have untreated depression, a history of trauma or are hindered by the stigma of weakness if they ask for help.
KnowResolve will give another presentation at the Detroit Arsenal Sept. 27 that will include stories from some garrison employees who have been touched by or helped prevent a suicide. Volunteers from the Red Cross and Macomb County Crisis Center will also be on hand with information. This event will preclude the installation Stand Down Day which will take place Oct. 3. People who missed the first presentation, should be sure to catch this one and take part in the installation Stand Down Day Oct. 3.
The Garrison is also running public service announcements on IPTV the week of September 24. These PSAs feature suicide prevention messages from many of the senior leaders on the Detroit Arsenal and a remake of the 2010 Suicide Prevention Theater shot in the auditorium.
The military loses an average of one soldier per day to suicide while the general populace loses one life every 15 minutes. Defeating suicide takes active involvement from everyone. What will I do to make it right and support my fellow human?
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