Compared to civilian society, the military is 2.4 percent more likely to have a suicide issue because of the demands placed on its forces. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Suicide Prevention, there are 20 service members each day who commit suicide. To address the suicide risks within the military, instructors teach the ACE curriculum throughout the U.S. Army active and reserve forces as part of the overall goal to maintain the health of its force.
In Florida, retired Navy veteran and Florida National Guard Suicide Prevention Manager Jim Smalenski has been teaching ACE to Soldiers for the past four years.
“People have a hard time coping sometimes,” said Smalenski. “Most people don’t want to die, they just want the pain to stop.”
ACE training encourages Soldiers to communicate on a peer-to-peer level and to question those who may exhibit suicidal ideation. The class is designed to target junior leaders and Soldiers to provide the tools needed to intervene when someone may be at risk for suicide. One scenarios that activates response is when a Soldier’s “battle buddy” or military team member confirms intent for self-harm or suicide. Once confirmed, that Soldier should be escorted to get professional help.
According to Smalenski, it is important to make the training material as relatable as possible. People of all ages and life experiences have difficulties, and if they cannot relate to one another, it presents a hurdle for them to seek help.
“These ACE classes have helped improve and generate a more positive dialogue to help alleviate the stigma associated with suicide,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Vann from the 107th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. “They help soldiers engage and get help for their battle buddies the appropriate way.”
Smalenski’s class focused on the importance of opening verbal lines of communication between Soldiers with similar experiences.
“It’s hard to relate to someone if you’ve never shared a like experience,” he said. “If I can get them into groups, I can get them to talk and start relating to one another. That drops the stigma of thinking I’m not the only one that feels this way, there are others that feel the same way.”
Research has shown that part of what hinders individuals to seek help is the stigma of being perceived as weak. Part of that stigma comes from distress and socialized masculine norms, or the need to be the “tough-guy.”
One of the videos shown in the class highlighted retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler speaking openly about seeking behavioral health care. While interviewing for the Sergeant Major of the Army position, he told the interviewer he was receiving mental health care treatment. Despite his concerns, he shares that he received support and praise for seeking assistance. As the senior most enlisted person in the Army, his role in sharing his story has helped to reduce the stigma of seeking help.
“Showing command leadership talking about stigma and asking for help goes a long, long ways, especially if they can get in front of a soldier and share a story,” said Smalenski.
| Date Taken: |
05.22.2018 |
| Date Posted: |
08.14.2018 15:11 |
| Story ID: |
277964 |
| Location: |
FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: |
31 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, Suicide Prevention; It Starts with Communication, by CPT Catherine Lewis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
Subscribe
