DIVARTY Soldiers learn how to prevent suicides

Photo By Staff Sgt. Takita Lawery | Sgt. 1st Class Sam Blagrove, a maintenance supervisor assigned to Headquarters and Headquarter Battery, 1st Infantry Division Artillery, talks with his Soldiers about the suicide prevention skits that were performed Sept. 27 at Barlow Theatre on Fort Riley. Two different skits were performed as part of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, to make Soldiers aware of what type of resources are available for those who need help. (Sgt. Takita Lawery, 1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs)  

FORT RILEY, KS, UNITED STATES

09.27.2016

Story by Sgt. Takita Lawery 

19th Public Affairs Detachment

According to Department of Defense Suicide Event Report, for active-duty military, at least one suicide is committed daily across all the services, causing it to be the second leading cause of death.

Members of the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Infantry Division Artillery, conducted suicide prevention training Sept. 27 at Barlow Theatre on Fort Riley.

According to the DoDSER, preventing suicide is one of the military’s highest priorities.

“It’s very important that all Soldiers are educated on and get the proper training for suicide prevention,” said Sgt. Kimberly Latimer-Ellison, the battery’s chaplain assistant and the initiator of the training.

Instead of conducting the training on PowerPoint slides, like much Army training, skits were performed to give Soldiers a visualization on how to detect when someone is contemplating suicide. Different scenarios were performed on what to look for. Warning signs such as feeling depressed, happier or sadder than normal, giving away prized possessions or verbalizing suicide are some of the indicators to tell when someone needs help.
“This training was incredibly beneficial because it taught us how to identify and help someone who has suicide ideations,” said Spc. Jonathan Haden, a human resource specialist assigned to HHB, DIVARTY.

Latimer-Ellison said one of the best ways to help prevent suicide is to be engaged in the Soldier’s well-being, even when that might appear to be intrusive. She said instead of just walking by asking someone how they’re doing, take the time to stop and listen to what they really have to say because something might be wrong.

“As leaders, we should be more involved with our Soldiers,” Ellison said. “Soldiers think that noncommissioned officers are being nosey and want to be in their business, when in actuality we just want to make sure their well-beings are intact.”

Haden also agreed with Ellison’s comment, saying that being involved and knowing the Soldier also builds esprit de corps and trust within the unit.
“Ask Soldiers how they are doing and show that you’re really interested in how they feel,” Haden said.

Many Soldiers at the event agreed that following up with someone who’s having issues is important when preventing suicide ideations or even suicide.
The month of September is designated as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, which helps promote resources and awareness around the issues of suicide prevention. Every unit within the 1st Inf. Div. recognized suicide prevention by conducting some type of training to educate Soldiers on what to look for and what resources are available to help alleviate the situation.

• Date Taken: 09.27.2016
• Date Posted: 10.14.2016 12:05
• Story ID: 212018
• Location: FORT RILEY, KS, US