The Pentagon has announced it began hiring a dedicated primary prevention workforce focused on community-based prevention, with a focus on preventing suicide, among other harmful behaviors.
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said the department has several hundred openings available, and that interested professionals can apply for those positions at www.usajobs.gov.
Hicks noted that the department is working to remove stigmas around seeking mental health care which can be seen as a strength and being proactive, rather than as a weakness or shortcoming in the individual.
According to DoD, the public health or social science professionals who sign on will provide military commanders with tools needed to reduce risk factors — such as substance misuse, toxic leadership or financial stress — and build up important protective factors — such as healthy coping mechanisms and cohesion.
Service members and their families in need of help can call Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647, or chat at militaryonesource.mil.
Service members, veterans, and their loved ones can also call the Military Crisis Line/Veterans Crisis Line at 988 (just call 988), press 1 or at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat at veteranscrisisline.net or text to 838255.
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