WASHINGTON — September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. With this in mind, communities are reminded of the importance of looking out for one another and recognizing when someone may be in crisis. That message was put into action when service members assigned to Joint Task Force-DC in support of the DC Safe and Beautiful mission encountered an individual experiencing one such crisis and threatening to enter traffic.
Service members patrolling near Le Droit Park witnessed an individual acting erratically and vocalizing that they were going to enter traffic to end their life. Recognizing the situation, the Soldier rushed to de-escalate the encounter.
“We made sure we were speaking to her calmly,” said Pfc. Gabriel Hall with the Arkansas National Guard. “It was made clear to me that she just hadn't had someone speak with her like that for a long time.”
The Soldiers first priority was facilitating a safe space. They began to speak with the individual. While talking with her, one of the responding service members contacted 911 and informed local authorities that support was needed. During that time, she began to show signs of calm and became relaxed enough to let them keep her company while waiting for support to arrive.
Officers with the Metropolitan Police Department soon arrived on scene and assumed control of the situation. The incident serves as an important reminder that a simple connection can make a difference during a moment of crisis. Sometimes protecting someone begins with simply stopping, listening, connecting, and letting them know that help is available.
“Within the past year, I was able to prevent a similar situation from happening,” said Pfc. Carson Cox. “I never want anyone to go through the pain of losing someone they love to something I can directly help with.”
Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month is not only an opportunity to remember those who have been lost; it is also a time to encourage conversations, reduce stigma, and remind people that they do not have to face difficult moments alone.
| Date Taken: | 09.07.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.08.2026 09:41 |
| Story ID: | 574049 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Stronger Together: Service Members intervene in mental health crisis incident, by SGT Alex Lopez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
