Photo By Lt. Col. Kristian Sorensen | Col. Alan Pomaville, Command Chaplain, U.S. Army Reserve Command, speaks about suicide...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. – There have been 26 suicides in the U.S. Army Reserve this year, a tragic fact that U.S. Army Reserve leadership is committed to reducing. This does not include additional losses from the ranks due to motor vehicle crashes, drowning, and other accidents.
These Soldiers are no longer in our formations as a part of the Total Army team but they are not forgotten.
In support of Suicide Prevention month, the Army is supporting the Department of Defense’s #BeThere campaign. Tragic events, like suicide, are complex, and members of the Army team have a duty and obligation to strengthen themselves and others and #BeThere to connect fellow Soldiers in crisis with support.
In his July letter to the force, Lieutenant General Charles D. Luckey, Chief of the Army Reserve and commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve Command challenged all of us to do a better job in combating these losses.
“Getting after this problem is about paying attention to detail,” Luckey said. “It saves lives in both combat and at home. Never walk past a mistake or an opportunity to teach.
“Eliminating or even significantly reducing Soldiers suicides is complex and challenging – but it is a component of our responsibility as leaders,” Luckey continued. “Let’s get smart; stay alert; help out a comrade who’s in trouble; take ownership and stay involved.”
As part of September’s Suicide Prevention and Awareness month, USARC Soldiers were joined by Gen. Robert B. Abrams, commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command, in a Run of Remembrance, Sept. 9, at the FORSCOM/USARC headquarters.
“It’s a hard subject that we often don’t want to talk about. But look to your left and your right. We are collectively responsible for each other,” Abrams said. “We need to #BeThere for that person on your left or your right. Be in tune with the person on the other side of the cubicle or down the hallway. Then we have to have the courage to that professional engagement to say, ‘Is everything O.K.?’ And you’d be surprised what happens when you take the first step and put your hand out to #BeThere for someone else. #BeThere for them. It may be something small. It may be something big. But we all owe it to each other as Soldiers.
“This is a tough and important business being Soldiers,” Abrams said. “But we are all human beings and occasionally life reaches up and grabs us to pull us down a little bit. So we rely on that person on our left or right to pull us up and get us back in the right direction.”
In his July letter, Luckey emphasized that we are all leaders in this fight to reduce suicides within our ranks.
“There is nothing we can do as leaders that is more likely to reduce or eliminate suicide risks than to know our Soldiers and infuse in them a sense of belonging, purpose, and mutual support that will stick with them, even when they are back on the ‘day jobs’ and physically away from the Army Team,” he said.
“Get smart on the telltale signs of depression. Find ways to embrace your part of the team with infectious energy between Battle Assemblies. Keep an eye on each other as part of your monthly battle rhythm. Stay snapped-in. Take ownership of your piece of this awesome team, move out and lead!” Luckey said.
After the run, Chaplain (Col.) Alan Pomaville, U.S. Army Reserve Command Chaplain, said that every Soldier has a spiritual or emotional need at some point and everyone needs to invest and take the time to listen to fellow Soldiers and Family members.
“It is so important to #BeThere for one another but also care for yourself,” Pomaville said. “Take the time to tell someone if you are having a rough day, week, or month. Ask the tough questions when you see someone else struggling or displaying out of character or dangerous behaviors. If you find a wounded or hurting Soldier, be sure to help by keeping them safe and do a solid hand-off to those who can best help them.”
EDITOR's NOTE:
For more Soldier and Family resources, please visit the following:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273 (TALK) 8255 Press 1 for Military Crisis Line
Fort Family 24/7 Call Center – 1-866-345-8248
Army Reserve Family Programs – http://www.afrp.org
Army One Source - http://www.myarmyonesource.com/default.aspx
U.S. Army Ready and Resilient Campaign - https://www.army.mil/readyandresilient/personnel/
Army Suicide Prevention Program - http://www.preventsuicide.army.mil/
Army G-1 Suicide Prevention Training Resources - http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/training.asp
Public Health Command - http://phc.amedd.army.mil/
Army Behavioral Health - http://armymedicine.mil/Pages/behavioralhealth.aspx
Defense Suicide Prevention Office - http://armymedicine.mil/Pages/behavioralhealth.aspx
U.S. Army Reserve Chaplain’s Battle Buddy App available in English and Spanish for Apple, Android, and Microsoft systems
| Date Taken: | 09.09.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.09.2016 10:03 |
| Story ID: | 209160 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 172 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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