Battle buddies vital in helping friends in need

Photo By Spc. Elvyn Nieves | Battle buddies and family members back home suffer a sometimes crippling pain because of the desperate decision of a Soldier to commit suicide. "Most people who are suicidal don't want to die," said Maj. William Nicholas, an Orlando, Fla., native, who servers as the brigade chaplain for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. "They just need somebody to listen to them. A battle buddy is the key. Talking about it helps ease the pain, it gives the sense that somebody cares." (U.S. photo/Spc. Elvyn Nieves)  

TAJI, IRAQ

03.20.2008

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Spc. Elvyn Nieves
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Soldiers are often faced with situations that compel them to take quick action. The outcome of those decisions, good or bad, has a dramatic effect on the future.

But what happens when a Soldier makes a decision that affects not only himself but the lives of those around him as well? Battle buddies and family members back home suffer a sometimes crippling pain because of the desperate decision of a Soldier to commit suicide.

Maj. William Nicholas, an Orlando, Fla., native, who servers as the brigade chaplain for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, is often an outlet Soldiers seek in times of crisis.

Nicholas said the reason a person thinks about ending his life is usually an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness and can be compounded by low self-esteem. Hopelessness is fed in by a series of losses, such as the death of a spouse, family member or even being relieved from a job.

"If someone has a family history of suicide, then he or she is more apt to consider that method," said Nicholas. "That stands true not only in the military but in the civilian sector. Hopelessness is the reason pushing a person to commit suicide. They want the pain to end, whether that has to do with physical or emotional pain."

There are usually verbal or nonverbal indications a person is contemplating suicide. The person might say to a friend, "this world would be better off without me," or "I'm not worth anything." They suddenly complete a will to make sure their belongings go to the right people, or they will tell somebody they're contemplating taking their own life, said Nicholas.

"If they don't have a will, then they'll just give their belongings away, like a car or money," said Nicholas. "That's when a friend and battle buddies' red flag has to go up."

Among the warning signs important for Soldiers to recognize are sudden changes in personality, such as somebody who was once outgoing suddenly becomes quiet and isolated. They may stop doing things they enjoyed and have problems sleeping, said Capt. Christi Borrell-Moreno, an Oklahoma City native, who serves as the mental health officer with Company C, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

It can be prevented by being aware of the people around us," said Moreno. "We have to be tuned in to what is going on with the people we work with. We have to be there when people are going through rough situations in their lives."

Most people who are suicidal don't want to die; they just need somebody to listen to them. A battle buddy is the key. Talking about it helps ease the pain; it gives the sense that somebody cares, said Nicholas.

"One way to prevent it is to educate people about it," said Nicholas. "It's important to care about oneself mentally and physically."

There're places a person can go for help. The Soldier's chain of command, the chaplain's office, military police and safety officer are among them, said Nicholas.

"The right thing to do is to refer anyone showing those signs to a mental health specialist," said Nicholas. "That's what we all are supposed to do."

• Date Taken: 03.20.2008
• Date Posted: 03.20.2008 09:01
• Story ID: 17571
• Location: TAJI, IQ