Human Resources Command runs, walks, rides for suicide prevention awareness

Photo By David Ruderman | Staff Sgt. Wintre-Renee Davis (center), Enlisted Personnel Management Directorate, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, serves as OC while Staff Sgt. Joseph Penosky (left), of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, and Staff Sgt. Anthony Bloomfield, Personnel Systems Information Systems Directorate, talk during a life skills training exercise at the command’s Life Promotion Run-Walk-Ride Sept. 3 at Fort Knox, Ky.  

FORT KNOX, KY, UNITED STATES

09.03.2015

Story by David Ruderman 

U.S. Army Human Resources Command

FORT KNOX, Ky. - U.S. Army Human Resources Command wrapped up a week’s worth of early morning runs, rides and resiliency reinforcement at the Maude Complex Sept. 3 in support of the Army’s 2015 Suicide Prevention Month.

Soldiers and civilians gathered each morning for awareness-raising briefings followed by 5-kilometer bike rides, walks, runs, relays and mixed skills events that met the requirements of the Fort Knox garrison training regimen, said HRC Equal Opportunity Adviser Master Sgt. Robin Ayers.

“It was mandatory annual training for the garrison, but they asked us to come up with something different,” she said.

The week’s events were sponsored by the HRC Command Surgeon’s Office and the EO with support from each command directorate. Suicidal behavior and the tragedy it entails continues to be a major concern for the Army, said HRC Command Surgeon Lt. Col. Randall Freeman.

HRC’s Life Promotion activities were designed to engage Soldiers and civilians in upbeat activities that prevent normal life stressors from developing into crises, increasing suicide prevention awareness through practicing positive coping skills, he said.

“There was definitely good esprit de corps,” said Ayers. “It was a big morale builder with personnel learning to spot telltale signs and how to respond through asking, caring and escorting – all while having fun.”

Freeman said he was pleased with the turnout for the early morning events.

“We also had very good participation by civilians. There were 20 to 30 each morning, which is really good,” he said.

HRC personnel who could not participate in the Life Promotion events will complete annual suicide prevention training through small group discussion or presentation events, or online in compliance with the command’s annual training guidance, said Ayers.

• Date Taken: 09.03.2015
• Date Posted: 09.04.2015 15:28
• Story ID: 175331
• Location: FORT KNOX, KY, US