Fort Eustis prepares for Army-wide suicide prevention stand down day Sept. 27

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jason J. Brown
  • 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
FORT EUSTIS, Va. --  Fort Eustis, Va., will host a series of events as part of the Army-wide suicide prevention stand -down day, scheduled for Sept. 27.

Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, the Army's vice chief of staff, ordered the Army-wide suicide stand-down as a way to empower leadership to prevent further loss of life due to suicide.

"The Army dedicates a significant amount of resources to prevent loss of life due to suicides, but we haven't turned the corner. That is why we are invigorating our efforts," said Maj. Gen. Bradley W. May, the senior commander of Army Element Eustis and deputy commanding general of Initial Military Training.

The day-long slate of events will feature a "run for resilience," a run-walk in the early morning hours; "command time," reserved for Soldiers to conduct peer-to-peer and leader-led activities; a senior leader luncheon; suicide prevention awareness training at the Regimental Memorial Chapel and a Comprehensive Fitness Fair at the Fort Eustis Club.

Bob Delaney, a National Basketball Association referee and victim of post-traumatic stress, will serve as guest speaker at the senior leader luncheon and will also speak to Soldiers, civilians and family members at Jacobs Theater at 7 p.m. Delaney, who suffered from PTSD as a result of his service as a New Jersey state trooper, hopes to empower leadership to engage with Soldiers and communicate that it is acceptable to ask for help.

The Army stand down is meant to familiarize all members of the Army family with the health promotion, risk reduction, suicide prevention, and comprehensive Soldier and family fitness resources available in the Army. The stand down will also focus on how to improve the health and discipline of the force and reducing the stigma associated with seeking care for behavioral health issues.

The stand down was issued after Austin visited installations around the Army and listened to Soldier feedback and suggestions, said Walter O. Morales, chief of the Army Suicide Prevention Program.

"He realized more work was needed to address the issue of suicides in the Army and to ensure the awareness and training momentum continues," Morales said.

The last Army-wide suicide prevention stand down took place in 2009. During that event, Morales said, the Army used the "chain teach" approach to push information down to Soldiers.

"For example, the Army required that specific training materials would be used and specific training requirements met, although some supplemental training was allowed, such as leader-led discussions," he said.

This time, Morales said, the stand down will be different.

"Activities and training will be less prescriptive," he said. "Commanders now have the flexibility to assess the needs of their units and customize the training and activities."

Although the stand down is just for one day, Morales said training and activities will be conducted throughout September, which is recognized in the Army as Suicide Prevention Month. Efforts will likely continue into October, particularly for the Reserve Component.

The theme this year for suicide prevention month -- "A healthy force is a ready force" -- reflects the Army's awareness that healthy people and mission go together, Morales said.

"We're not just worried about suicides, we're concerned with the overall fitness and well-being of our Soldiers, Army civilians, and family members," he said. "It is especially important that leaders lead the charge in changing the Army culture, wherever seeking help for suicide or other issues is stigmatized."

For more information on suicide prevention awareness, visit the Army Suicide Prevention website at www.preventsuicide.army.mil.

Editor's Note: David Vergun of the Army News Service and Stephanie Slater of Initial Military Training contributed to this report.