More focus needed to end suicides, Mullens say
9/10/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- A silent killer is rapidly infiltrating the military, claiming lives at an alarming rate each year.
It does not discriminate, taking aim at the young and old, male and female -- from the battle-hardened Soldier to the new recruit.
"It's an area that can't get enough focus right now," said Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "When we're losing as many lives as we are, it is a crisis we have to continue to address."
In an interview with the Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service, Admiral Mullen and his wife, Deborah, talked about what it will take to stop servicemembers and families from taking their own lives.
"It's a very difficult, vexing, complex problem, and one that leadership has to spend an awful lot of time on to try to figure out," Admiral Mullen said. "It's one that in the country is not well understood; therefore, (it's) one in the military that isn't understood."
While top leaders are struggling to find answers, military suicides have reached a critical point, the Admiral said.
Last year, suicide claimed 309 servicemembers, and in 2008, 267 servicemembers committed suicide, according to a Defense Department task force.
From 2005 to 2009, more than 1,100 servicemembers took their own lives, an average of one suicide every 36 hours, the task force said.
Some reports attribute the spike to multiple deployments and long family separations.
The majority of suicides do take place among servicemembers who have deployed, Admiral Mullen said.
Still, a considerable number occur among those who haven't deployed, he added.
Complicating the issue is a delay in symptoms for those who have served in combat, Admiral Mullen said. In many cases, post-traumatic stress symptoms don't reveal themselves until months or years later, and a servicemember may be discharged by that time and back in a civilian community without the same level of support.
The military needs to find ways to track those servicemembers so they receive the support they need, he said.
"A significant amount of work needs to be done on the prevention aspect of (suicide) so we don't get to the point where men and women would consider doing this," he said.
Leaders also must gain an understanding of the problem's scope, including the signs, symptoms and vulnerable population, he said.
"More than anything else, I think, military leaders have to lead," Admiral Mullen said.
Many leaders have had challenges themselves, he noted, and the way they address those challenges, seeking help when needed, can set the example for others.
Military members also must work to end the stigma that's preventing people from seeking help early on, including family members afraid to raise a red flag, Admiral Mullen said.
Spouses often are the first to notice a problem, but are fearful of the career repercussions for their servicemember if they speak up, Mrs. Mullen said.
"We know that servicemembers tell their spouses not to mention any sort of symptoms the servicemember might be experiencing, for fear that, as one spouse said, 'that will mean the end of their career,'" she said. "That stigma is so ingrained and embedded in not just the military, but in our country, and breaking through that is going to be key ... to solving this problem."
This internal barrier to seeking help can have a far-ranging effect, also causing spouses to stop short of seeking much-needed help for themselves, Mrs. Mullen said.
Spouses, she said, may be suffering from stress, anxiety, frustration and anger, but are afraid of the fallout from asking for care.
When family members have the courage to ask for help, the military must step up care, Mrs. Mullen said.
She said she spoke with a military spouse with suicidal thoughts who sought help from a military physician. She was given medication, but not a follow up.
If someone is brave enough to come forward, the military must offer ongoing support, including mental-health follow-ups, she said.
Mrs. Mullen called for training within families to help them recognize issues in their servicemember and in themselves, and to know what to do about them without fear of repercussion.
Fortunately, families have more avenues of help now than ever before, including ones that offer anonymity, she said.
People who are uncomfortable speaking with someone at a military clinic can instead receive 12 free counseling appointments through Military OneSource or contact Tricare for online counseling at home. Other resources include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255), the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors at 800-959-TAPS (8277) or a military family life consultant.
Support is particularly vital after a suicide, when a family is at its most vulnerable, Mrs. Mullen said, stressing the importance of what she calls "post-vention," or after care.
"It's important to make sure that the people at risk after the suicide are reached and that they have the opportunity to express privately maybe their own concerns, their own thoughts," she said. "I think if we provide for them the appropriate post-vention care, that we will restore the hope for those families that this may not occur in their family again."
The Mullens both stressed the importance of hope, both in prevention efforts and in the aftermath of a tragedy.
A suicide, they said, means all hope was lost.
"(There's) help out there that would allow an individual to move through this," the chairman said. "Keep the hope, as difficult as that may seem in these circumstances."
"No matter how hard, how long, no matter what it takes, however many people need to get involved in this, this is something that the military is going to pursue and try to eliminate totally," Mrs. Mullen added.
To watch this interview with Admiral and Mrs. Mullen, tune in to the Pentagon Channel's "This Week in the Pentagon" Sept. 10 and Sept. 17. The interview will run as part of the channel's special, "Restoring Hope: Stories of Survival."
by Elaine Wilson
American Forces Press Service
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Happy Birthday, S-I-L
There is nothing in this world a mother desires more for her daughter, than to marry her Prince Charming. My daughter has truly found her Prince and our family is so blessed to call him one of our own. I could have searched the world over, and not have chosen a better man for my daughter!(because that is what we moms want to do)
On this day, I wish this extraordinary man, a Happy Birthday. May this new year of his life be filled with all that he gives to so many...love, smiles, and warmth.
Thirty-Six Things I Love About You...
1. How deeply, truly, unconditionally you love my daughter.
2. Precious
3. Bright-Eyed Beauty
4. Belle
5. A strong, Christian husband and father.
6. Orioles Fan
7. Enjoys Led Zeppelin music
8. Has an addicting smile
9. Brilliant
10. Works hard to provide for his family
11. Accepts our family
12. Offers me a glass of water, when I am almost completely dehydrated
13. Is an excellent listener
14. Willing to learn how to do any and all handyman chores
15. A loving son to his mom
16. Outstanding role model for the children in his Church
17. Witty
18. Has learned how to cook
19. Can play ParachuteMan like the best (Pa)
20. Patient
21. Has only kind words for others
22. Plays with a Bright Pink Etch-A-Sketch and doesn't mind a photo taken of him doing so
23. Owns a nice collection of MatchBox cars
24. Gentle
25. Outstanding Sports Editor
26. Has no worries about showing his 'goofy' side
27. My daughter's Rock
28. Will play Candyland for hours
29. Warms a room, just by entering
30. Has a book deal-yay!
31. Faithful to the Lord, his wife and his daughters
32. Optimist
33. Comforts my daughter, when she needs it
34. Has a brain packed full of baseball knowledge
35. Is willing to defend that band called the Beatles, knowing his M-I-L believes the Rolling Stones are the finest of all bands-EVER! (this debate will go on for ever)
36. He calls me Momma
On this day, I wish this extraordinary man, a Happy Birthday. May this new year of his life be filled with all that he gives to so many...love, smiles, and warmth.
Thirty-Six Things I Love About You...
1. How deeply, truly, unconditionally you love my daughter.
2. Precious
3. Bright-Eyed Beauty
4. Belle
5. A strong, Christian husband and father.
6. Orioles Fan
7. Enjoys Led Zeppelin music
8. Has an addicting smile
9. Brilliant
10. Works hard to provide for his family
11. Accepts our family
12. Offers me a glass of water, when I am almost completely dehydrated
13. Is an excellent listener
14. Willing to learn how to do any and all handyman chores
15. A loving son to his mom
16. Outstanding role model for the children in his Church
17. Witty
18. Has learned how to cook
19. Can play ParachuteMan like the best (Pa)
20. Patient
21. Has only kind words for others
22. Plays with a Bright Pink Etch-A-Sketch and doesn't mind a photo taken of him doing so
23. Owns a nice collection of MatchBox cars
24. Gentle
25. Outstanding Sports Editor
26. Has no worries about showing his 'goofy' side
27. My daughter's Rock
28. Will play Candyland for hours
29. Warms a room, just by entering
30. Has a book deal-yay!
31. Faithful to the Lord, his wife and his daughters
32. Optimist
33. Comforts my daughter, when she needs it
34. Has a brain packed full of baseball knowledge
35. Is willing to defend that band called the Beatles, knowing his M-I-L believes the Rolling Stones are the finest of all bands-EVER! (this debate will go on for ever)
36. He calls me Momma
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Just Another Thursday...
US army soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division Alpha Battery 1-320th leave on a patrol from Combat Outpost Nolen in the village of Jellawar in The Arghandab Valley on September 5, 2010. The war in Afghanistan is nearing the end of its ninth year, with international troops at almost full strength of 150,000, from the United States and NATO.
-militaryphotos.net
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May Almighty God Bless and Protect every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Wednesday Hero 09/08/2010
This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Mike
Pvt. Barney F. Hajiro
93 years old from Waipahu, Hawaii
442nd Regimental Combat Team
On September 16 Mr. Hajiro will turn 94 years old. His family immigrated from Japan during WWI and he had to drop out of school and work to help support his family. After Pearl Harbor was attacked he was drafted in the United States Army. In March 1943, he volunteered to join the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, composed of Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) like himself. He was shipped to Europe in 1944 first to Italy then to France where, over ten days in October, Pvt. Hajiro repeatedly distinguished himself in battle by exposing himself to enemy fire while assisting an allied attack. On October 29, 1944 Pvt. Hajiro single-handedly destroyed two German machine gun emplacements before being shot in the shoulder and wrist partially paralyzing his left arm. For his actions he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. In 1948 he was awarded the Military Medal by the British government, in 2000 was was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Bill Clinton and in 2004 he was awarded the Légion d'honneur by France. Barney F. Hajiro is the oldest living Medal Of Honor recipient.
From his Medal Of Honor Citation:
For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Barney F. Hajiro, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 19, 22, and 29 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres and Biffontaine, eastern France. Private Hajiro, while acting as a sentry on top of an embankment on 19 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres, France, rendered assistance to allied troops attacking a house 200 yards away by exposing himself to enemy fire and directing fire at an enemy strong point. He assisted the unit on his right by firing his automatic rifle and killing or wounding two enemy snipers. On 22 October 1944, he and one comrade took up an outpost security position about 50 yards to the right front of their platoon, concealed themselves, and ambushed an 18-man, heavily armed, enemy patrol, killing two, wounding one, and taking the remainder as prisoners. On 29 October 1944, in a wooded area in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France, Private Hajiro initiated an attack up the slope of a hill referred to as "Suicide Hill" by running forward approximately 100 yards under fire. He then advanced ahead of his comrades about ten yards, drawing fire and spotting camouflaged machine gun nests. He fearlessly met fire with fire and single-handedly destroyed two machine gun nests and killed two enemy snipers. As a result of Private Hajiro's heroic actions, the attack was successful. Private Hajiro's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.
All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
93 years old from Waipahu, Hawaii
442nd Regimental Combat Team
On September 16 Mr. Hajiro will turn 94 years old. His family immigrated from Japan during WWI and he had to drop out of school and work to help support his family. After Pearl Harbor was attacked he was drafted in the United States Army. In March 1943, he volunteered to join the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, composed of Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) like himself. He was shipped to Europe in 1944 first to Italy then to France where, over ten days in October, Pvt. Hajiro repeatedly distinguished himself in battle by exposing himself to enemy fire while assisting an allied attack. On October 29, 1944 Pvt. Hajiro single-handedly destroyed two German machine gun emplacements before being shot in the shoulder and wrist partially paralyzing his left arm. For his actions he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. In 1948 he was awarded the Military Medal by the British government, in 2000 was was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Bill Clinton and in 2004 he was awarded the Légion d'honneur by France. Barney F. Hajiro is the oldest living Medal Of Honor recipient.
From his Medal Of Honor Citation:
For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Barney F. Hajiro, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 19, 22, and 29 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres and Biffontaine, eastern France. Private Hajiro, while acting as a sentry on top of an embankment on 19 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres, France, rendered assistance to allied troops attacking a house 200 yards away by exposing himself to enemy fire and directing fire at an enemy strong point. He assisted the unit on his right by firing his automatic rifle and killing or wounding two enemy snipers. On 22 October 1944, he and one comrade took up an outpost security position about 50 yards to the right front of their platoon, concealed themselves, and ambushed an 18-man, heavily armed, enemy patrol, killing two, wounding one, and taking the remainder as prisoners. On 29 October 1944, in a wooded area in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France, Private Hajiro initiated an attack up the slope of a hill referred to as "Suicide Hill" by running forward approximately 100 yards under fire. He then advanced ahead of his comrades about ten yards, drawing fire and spotting camouflaged machine gun nests. He fearlessly met fire with fire and single-handedly destroyed two machine gun nests and killed two enemy snipers. As a result of Private Hajiro's heroic actions, the attack was successful. Private Hajiro's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.
All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
National Suicide Prevention Week
September 5th through the 11th marks the 36th Annual National Suicide Prevention Week. You can read more about it HERE.
Our nation is facing desperate times, which simply are not healing. Between the unemployment rates, the housing situation (except the fact interest rates are down!), disgruntled employees taking offices hostage... stress, stress, stress-piled on by sadness and frustration. A stick of dynamite with a short fuse!
And then of course... our Soldiers. Coming home with mangled bodies and minds. Dear God in Heaven...
I'm only AirmanMom with small hands and a small voice. I urge each of you to take an hour this week, to contact a Soldier. Reach out to a family member who appears to be fighting demons. Smile gently to the person standing in line at the grocery store. Say 'Thank You' to the waitress who serves you a meal. Leave cookies in your mailbox for the Postman. Shake the hand of a man or woman wearing our Military Uniform.
We don't know how deeply someone may be hurting and you may make a difference in their lives with a small touch of kindness. Everybody Hurts Sometimes.
Our nation is facing desperate times, which simply are not healing. Between the unemployment rates, the housing situation (except the fact interest rates are down!), disgruntled employees taking offices hostage... stress, stress, stress-piled on by sadness and frustration. A stick of dynamite with a short fuse!
And then of course... our Soldiers. Coming home with mangled bodies and minds. Dear God in Heaven...
I'm only AirmanMom with small hands and a small voice. I urge each of you to take an hour this week, to contact a Soldier. Reach out to a family member who appears to be fighting demons. Smile gently to the person standing in line at the grocery store. Say 'Thank You' to the waitress who serves you a meal. Leave cookies in your mailbox for the Postman. Shake the hand of a man or woman wearing our Military Uniform.
We don't know how deeply someone may be hurting and you may make a difference in their lives with a small touch of kindness. Everybody Hurts Sometimes.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Wednesday Hero 09/01/2010 (4 Year Anniversary)
Thank you Kathi. For the fourth year now you've been kind enough to put together this look back at the past year of posts for us. xoxoxox
Wednesday Hero - 2009/2010
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
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My warmest thanks to Christopher Lee for his outstanding efforts to make certain our Heroes are never forgotten. Every single Fallen Warrior has a face, a name, a family. We must never forget... we are the land of the free, because of our bravest!
Wednesday Hero - 2009/2010
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
My warmest thanks to Christopher Lee for his outstanding efforts to make certain our Heroes are never forgotten. Every single Fallen Warrior has a face, a name, a family. We must never forget... we are the land of the free, because of our bravest!
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