Armed Forces News

Wellness checks have been initiated at certain bases in Alaska, Texas, New York, Kansas, and Georgia. Image: Immersion Imagery/Shutterstock.com

While suicides among soldiers increased in 2021, Defense Department statistics indicate the number is declining this year.

As of this Sept. 30, the number of total Army suicides has dropped roughly 21 percent compared to the same date a year ago. Suicides among family members also dropped by 21 percent. The number of suicides among the service’s civilian employees decreased by 50 percent.

Though Army civilian and military leaders alike are encouraged by the statistics, they remain concerned.

“One suicide is one too many, but I am encouraged that this year we have seen fewer suicides than last year. We will continue working to build positive command climates that can help prevent suicide, while also improving access to mental health resources,” said Secretary of the Army Christine E. Wormuth.

“We want our soldiers to know that getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness. The Army’s goal is to make it as easy as possible for soldiers to get the help they need,” said Chief of Staff Gen. James C. McConville.

The Army has implemented and increased suicide mitigation-related resources during the past two years, to include:

• A new suicide prevention policy, soon to be delivered. It would address the roles and responsibilities of leadership, identify resources, update reporting requirements, provide guidance on the structure of working groups, and other initiatives.

• Wellness checks, conducted by leadership. Such checks have been initiated for the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska, as well as Fort Bliss, Texas, Fort Drum, New York, Fort Riley, Kansas, and Fort Stewart, Georgia.

• Suicide Prevention Chain Teach, during which senior commanders deliver face-to-face suicide prevention to subordinate commanders. The initiative would reach down to the platoon level, and would serve to make all leaders familiar with the service’s suicide-prevention programs and resources.

• Leader training for all battalion and brigade commanders, which focus on suicide prevention they would undergo when taking the pre-command course. The training would focus not only on suicide prevention, but sexual assault and harassment as well.

• Materials that address identification of lethal-means objects that could be used in suicide attempts, with a focus on prevention and safe storage. The object is to increase “the time and space between individuals and objects that may be used to take one’s life,” the service stated.

• Two new suicide-prevention handbooks – one for senior commanders, and the other for brigade and battalion commanders. Each provides tools for implementation of good suicide-prevention plans, and addresses lethal-means safety as well.

• An awareness campaign – “This Is Our Army: Not Every Fight Is on the Battlefield,” which began last year. It encourages keeping an eye out for warning signs and providing help where it is needed.