Photo By Sgt. Noelani Revina-Gambill | U.S. Army Col. Martin L. O’Donnell conducts a chain teach training on suicide...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, TX – From Jan. 7 to Feb. 28, 2022, U.S. Army North conducted a series of chain teach classes on suicide prevention within its ranks on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and elsewhere.
Part of the Army’s new suicide prevention strategy, the chain teach was initiated by Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Joseph M. Martin to ensure consistent implementation of the Army Suicide Prevention Program across the force. First to conduct the chain teach trainings within U.S. Army North was Lt. Gen. John R. Evans Jr., commander of the unit, who held a session with his directors on Jan. 7. From there, his directors, and their subordinate leaders held similar sessions the rest of the month, and throughout February.
“Prevention is prevention is prevention, and we must do more,” said Lt. Gen. Evans. “Whether it’s strengthening Soldier resilience, enhancing a sense of connectedness, ensuring leaders are aware of helping resources, or encouraging Soldiers to engage in help-seeking behaviors, we must do everything we can to save a life.”
Leaders of the program also directed to complete the chain teach training for all active duty Soldiers by March 1, 2022. All respective leaders and sections of U.S. Army North completed classes by February 28, 2022.
Once a stigma to discuss, the Army’s hope with the chain teach campaign is to encourage Soldiers to open up about personal stressors, reach out to one another for support, and obtain access to available resources.
The Suicide Prevention program also encourages conducting tailored training with two main factors in mind for the in-person classes. One, that the training highlights the importance of proactively identifying potential suicide behaviors and gaining awareness of resources. Second, the training emphasizes to spark inclusive discussion on the topic.
The Army encompasses a mass of Soldiers in its ranks, but that same mass is made up of people.
“I think it’s important when it comes to teaching Soldiers at the lowest level,” said Sgt. Jeremy Kreis, a noncommissioned officer and training coordinator with U.S. Army North. “You never know when that Soldier might be in a position to save someone’s life or go seek help for him or herself.”
Kreis expresses that although the Army already has an array of information on suicide awareness available, the new approach with the chain teach campaign is a good opportunity to further impact Soldiers with the seriousness of the subject.
“We get so wrapped up sometimes, full pace full throttle, that we forget about ourselves,” stated Kreis. “We think that no one cares about us. But there’s always somebody that cares about you.”
Soldiers like Spc. Macy White, a geospatial engineer with U.S. Army North, felt an impact with the personalized approach the chain teach campaign offers.
“Other Soldiers in the class had experiences that could relate to the statements made by the instructor,” stated White. “I also noticed the deafening silence from the others. Instilling good change allows us to see it’s okay to speak up…and gets us more comfortable with the idea of asking for help.”
Encountering personal hardships herself, White highlights the hidden message behind the Army’s intent with one thing she finds important.
“I wish people knew that someone, somewhere cares,” White remarked. “I wish that any Soldier of any rank could talk to someone without bias. Most of us are going through similar things and they aren’t alone.”
The Army’s preventative focus with the chain teach campaign sets stride toward the future of addressing suicide by putting its people first.
If you or someone else you know is in need of help, please contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255), and press one for the Military Crisis Line. You can also text 838-255.
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| Date Taken: | 03.31.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 04.01.2022 13:04 |
| Story ID: | 417606 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 278 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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