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Families learn suicide indicators,
prevention techniques
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by Tina Ray
Paraglide
A 22-year-old, black, male Soldier who just returned from his first deployment is faced with the struggle of communicating with his wife. He hits her and is ultimately given an Article 15, or punishment imposed by a commanding officer. The Soldier fatally shoots himself after receiving the Article 15.
A Family readiness group undergoing suicide prevention training learns to identify key indicators of and alternatives to suicide.
Any combination of irregularities in behavior may be predictors of suicide, not necessarily any sole change in behavior, said Carolyn DeWindt, Fort Bragg suicide prevention officer. For instance, a tendency to argue with a Family member or an increase in heavy drinking by a Soldier who does not normally bicker or does not normally drink constitutes behavior irregularities.
Other irregularities that could indicate suicide include Soldiers experiencing financial problems or leaving the service through retirement or end of time of service; withdrawal from friends and activities; giving away property; or talk of committing suicide or of killing someone else.
Noelle Austin-Jones is an FRG member whose husband is assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division Band. She said she plans to take suicide prevention training when her husband’s unit is closer to redeployment.
“I think this is helpful training for spouses to receive because it may help them to recognize what their Soldier is experiencing upon return from the battle zone,” said Austin-Jones. “As Family members, we are the closest person to our Soldier; therefore, we may see the signs that others do not.”
Suicide prevention training is an invaluable tool to help Soldiers look out for each other. It teaches other Soldiers how to be a buddy for Soldiers contemplating or planning suicide.
FRG’s are encouraged to take suicide prevention training annually, DeWindt said. Annual training is required for active-duty Soldiers, usually before both deployment and redeployment.
Classes are structured so that the focus is not on the instructor, but rather on the participants who take the class, DeWindt said.
“The training is meant for the instructor not to have the floor, but to allow for participants to be actively engaged,” she said. “Class erupts with a wealth of communication where people actually get to voice their opinion. No one tells them that they are wrong, but they get to get education on their opinion.”
Suicide prevention resources for Soldiers and their Families are available at militaryonesource.com, by calling the local helpline at 396-4357 or the national helpline at 1-800-784-2433. Soldiers may also contact their unit chaplain or chain of command for assistance.
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