Suicide Prevention 9/6/17

Suicide Prevention: A Leadership Issue* September is suicide prevention month. USACC has about a dozen serious incident reports every week that are related to suicide. During my last 22 years I have taught suicide prevention hundreds of times and have always used a "buddy care" approach based on the theory that the Soldier closest is in the best position to spot the symptoms and intervene. Though this is true, suicide prevention is also a leadership issue. Just this last spring (remember before CST) America's attention was drawn to a hit Netflix show called "13 Reasons Why" that dramatizes, some say glamorizes, the suicide issue. One criticism of the show is that the focus is primarily on the teenagers, who bullied, abused and even violated the heroine, but not on the adults (with the exception of the school guidance counselor). Though "13 Reasons Why" leaves lots of room for criticism it reopens the discussion about suicide in America. So what role do leaders (adults) play in confronting this problem? First, leaders need to demand an environment of dignity and respect. In an environment where people are not valued, and appropriately protected, bad behavior grows and people get hurt (both words and actions matter). Second, leaders need to know their team. This includes taking the time to get to know each member, assessing their needs and developing them as a person. It should never be a surprise to a leader when one of their team is struggling, however, getting past the façade often only happens when you invest the time to show you actually care. Third, leaders need to get to know the background (including the family) of their team members. Most suicides are related to relationship issues so leaders need to ask, and keep asking, in a way that shows genuine interest and invites open communication. Fourth, be human. If you always present a façade to your team they will not feel comfortable sharing their struggles with you. This is a bit tricky since some people don't know where to draw boundaries with others much less stay inside them. The best advice may be to confine your transparency to past experiences until you know how others will respond. One of the best examples I know of is my friend Dave Roever who, in giving his Vietnam War testimony to thousands of audiences over the last 30+ years, relates his own suicide attempt after being horribly disfigured in combat. His honesty, and even self-deprecating humor, on this issue is a great example. I don't know anyone who has not been affected in some way by suicide and there is no single element that will diminish it. However, to quote John Maxwell, "Everything stands or falls on leadership."** Army Leadership Doctrine: ADRP 6-22, 7-5 through 7-31 describes a proper command environment (climate), 7-49 through 7-90 describes building teams, 6-42 discusses balancing mission and welfare, 6-43/44 emphasizes taking care of Soldiers and Army Civilians, 6-45 through 6-47 provides tips on identifying high risk behavior. Basically, building teams and caring for members is woven through the warp and woof of the entire document. *This is a personal reflection based on my own experience. Please feel free to respond to with your own observations. ** For a religious thought consider Matthew 27: 3-5. Even one of Jesus' disciples (Judas) chose suicide after betraying Jesus to be tortured and crucified. Also, consider Peter who also betrayed Jesus yet was forgiven Luke 22-54-62. From a human and spiritual perspective (non-theistic) consider the article "Meditation isn't enough: A Buddhist Perspective on Suicide" (google search) where Rinzler argues for traditional therapeutic methods.