Photo By Lesley Atkinson | John E. Hall, deputy to the commanding general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Nathaniel J....... read more read more
FORT LEE, Va, (Sept. 1, 2016) -- “Signing the suicide prevention/awareness proclamation themed, ‘I will be there,’ is absolutely appropriate and necessary as we collectively look out for personnel and the wellness of our troops, family and our civilian workforce. This is not an individual Soldier’s responsibility but a leader’s responsibility.”
Those words were spoken by Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, CASCOM and Fort Lee commanding general, during introductory remarks at the Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month Kickoff Breakfast Friday in Memorial Chapel’s Family Life Center.
Fort Lee leaders, Tri-Cities clergy and special guests attended the breakfast including Command Sgt. Maj. Nathaniel J. Bartee Sr., CASCOM CSM; John E. Hall, deputy to the CG, and featured speaker Robert Litterst, director of training and counseling, at the Christian Counseling and Training Center, Richmond.
Williams spoke on the suicide rate, which he said has declined, but he stressed the mission to prevent suicide is far from being over. He stated it is “our responsibility” to set the climate and show that we care about issues like suicide prevention for it to become a part of the culture.
“We need to look at the physical, social and spiritual well-being of ourselves and one another,” Williams continued. “I noticed in my 33 years of service the decline on emphasis of spiritual fitness. I remember as a second lieutenant having a prayer breakfast, the place would be overflowing. Today, when you hold a prayer breakfast, it is much more difficult to fill the seats. Most of you who have been to combat know when a serious incident happens, a Soldier will yell one of two things – ‘medic’ or ‘oh God.’ There is a connection between spiritual fitness and suicide awareness and thus this is why our chaplains are holding this breakfast.”
In closing, Williams asked for everyone to watch out for the troops. He said we all have the ability to make a difference and to be there. “Suicide prevention is not just leadership’s business but everyone’s business.”
Williams was followed by Chaplain (Col.) Claude Crisp, installation chaplain, who cited statistics on what the Army is dealing with today.
“Five months after returning home from a deployment is a period of risk for suicide,” said Crisp. “Women are the highest risk to try suicide – men are the highest to succeed. The highest risk is a 12-month period after being discharged from a treatment facility.”
Crisp talked about the 22-pushup challenge people are doing on social media, claiming 22 veterans commit suicide every day, however a recent study found the number is closer to 20 a day.
“There is a false perception suicide only happens to people who have post-traumatic stress disorder, but that is not true,” he said. Even though Soldiers are not deployed here, Fort Lee is a training installation – Soldiers here are still at risk.
Addressing the clergy in the room, Crisp said, “I want you to join me in pledging to take care of those who are off-post – retirees, DA Civilians, contractors, or Soldiers – who attend your churches … you make a difference in their lives. We, the military applaud you for that.
“To the leaders, I want you to know the green suiters are not the only resources but among us is the representation of hundreds of churches with so many specialties in their clergy. We don’t want to ignore them but use them.”
Featured speaker Litterst was asked to speak on the topic of suicide. He said in the beginning, suicide is not one of his subjects he wanted to talk about because, “we have no control over it, they have the control.”
Preventing suicide is working together, not separating. That is the best approach.
He said he believes suicide has been increasing in the military because of something he calls the Theology of War.
“Before the fall of man, there was no need for killing, self-defense or war in any way; there was a peaceful environment,” he said. “There was no danger or bad guy, but this is the world we live in now. We are forced to fight, and to fight back; forced to take control over the environment – resist evil. It feels like it is evil that we resist inside us. We are forced in that way and we struggle.”
The breakfast was the first of many events planned throughout the month to raise awareness about the warning signs of suicide and “I will be there,” the observance theme. The over arching goal is to show those struggling with emotional or mental hardships can get the support they need.
| Date Taken: | 09.01.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.01.2016 11:30 |
| Story ID: | 208697 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 92 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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