Photo By Douglas Stutz | Giving 22 for 22 on 22...Naval Hospital Bremerton Command Master Chief Randy Pruitt...... read more read more
When Naval Hospital Bremerton staff members dropped and gave 22 for 22 on 22, every pushup completed was more than just a symbolic reminder of a servicemember lost.
It was also an inclusive, hands-on and hands-down reminder of the daily pervasive struggle that leads 22 veterans a day to commit suicide.
The ‘22 Pushup Challenge for Veteran’s Suicide Awareness’ was organized at NHB by Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Elaina McMillian for April 22, 2016 after hearing about the idea and deciding to make it happen at her command.
“I just thought this would be a good way to get a lot of us involved by at least reminding us on the compassion and empathy needed to help end this number. 22 is such a large number,” said McMillian.
A recent Veterans Affairs study carried out over a two-year span reported that nearly 14 percent of veterans reported suicidal thinking.
McMillian wanted to drive home the point that veterans aren’t just some abstract percentage, but that one in seven of their numbers is contemplating taking their own life, with 22 actually doing that on a daily basis.
“We’re a military treatment facility. Do we have programs and processes in place to help? Yes, we do. Can we do more to take care of our own? Yes, we can. The struggle to complete the challenge we hope will help give all of us a tiny glimpse into the struggle our veterans are facing every day. All our pushups help,” McMillian stated.
Suicides do not just impact prior service members. As of April 4, 2016, there have also been nine Navy active duty and three Navy Reserve Sailors lost to suicide.
For Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Geoffrey Sims, when he heard about the ‘22 Pushup Challenge,’ he immediately knew what he had to do.
“I had to give 44. I lost two friends. When I read about the challenge, it gave me a chill and really hit home. It made me realize that we all can do more,” shared Sims.
“Being involved in this is going to help maintain awareness. C’mon everyone,” added Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jason Alexander.
McMillian is counting each pushup as a launching pad that everyone can use on a daily basis. The 22 pushups are a start.
NHB Command Master Chief Randy Pruitt also helped spread the word about the campaign by challenging Naval Medical Center San Diego and Naval Hospital Okinawa to match NHB in the task, pushup to pushup.
“This is such a great idea and one that we need to constantly remind ourselves about. Helping out shipmates is what we do,” Pruitt said.
According to Lt. Shawn Redmon, Naval Hospital Bremerton chaplain, sometimes it can be simple “ACTs” of kindness that can help save a life.
“I hope everyone realizes that a simple act of kindness can make all the difference in the world to someone who’s hurting,” said Redmon, noting that if anyone encounters anyone showing extensive signs of depression with a possible risk of suicide, to remember to ACT, an acronym for Ask, Care, and Treat.
Ask - ask someone if they are thinking of suicide.
Care - listen, offer hope, and not be judgmental.
Treat – don’t leave a suicidal person alone and get assistance.
The Navy’s Suicide Awareness website notes that one in five people will experience at least one episode of major depression in their lifetime.
Suicide Prevention resource sites:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK
Navy Suicide Prevention Program Website: www.suicide.navy.mil
For more information, and to take an anonymous self assessment go to: http://www.militarymentalhealth.org/
| Date Taken: | 04.22.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.22.2016 14:25 |
| Story ID: | 196260 |
| Location: | BREMERTON , WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 558 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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