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Suicide Prevention Stand Down Announcements

Suicide Prevention Safety Stand Down 2012

"Shoulder to Shoulder, We Stand Up for Life"

Suicides are occurring across every segment of the force – Active, Guard and Reserve; officers and enlisted Soldiers; deployed, non-deployed, and those who have not yet been deployed, as well as Army Civilians and family members. In 2011, a total of 165 Active Duty Soldiers and 118 Soldiers not on Active Duty took their own lives.

In order to empower Army leadership, Soldiers, Army Civilians, and family members to prevent further loss of life, enhance awareness of resources available, improve the health and discipline of the force, and reduce stigma, the Army is conducting a force-wide suicide prevention stand-down for all Soldiers, Army Civilians, and interested family members, on 27 September 2012.

The Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) Department of Behavioral Medicine (DBM) will support local units in conducting a successful stand-down through providing information regarding locations and capabilities of available behavioral health services, how to access those services, and through input from subject matter experts regarding the topic of suicide prevention. Below you will find links to these resources and to other useful information in preparing your unit activities for the stand-down on 27 September 2012, as well as information about planned activities at Fort Sam Houston in support of the stand-down.

Behavioral Health Resources in Support of Suicide Prevention Safety Stand Down

Leader-Led Discussions

As part of the requirements for the Suicide Prevention Stand Down, leaders are required to lead face-to-face discussions with their subordinates about Suicide Prevention. Linked below are the slides used by LTC Marshall Smith during his briefing on 19 Sept 2012 at Evans Auditorium, consisting of a sample leader-led discussion as well as practical information about suicide prevention.

Additionally, the BAMC Department of Behavioral Medicine is available to provide Subject Matter Expert support to units requesting assistance with developing their leader-led discussions. To request this support, please contact the BAMC Behavioral Medicine Education and Training Program Coordinator at (210) 808-2561 or the Chief of the BAMC Behavioral Health Training Division at (210) 808-2558.

Risk Assessment Screenings

As part of the required activities for the Suicide Prevention Stand Down, all active duty soldiers will be screened for suicide risk. Refer to your local unit guidance for specific procedures to follow and risk assessment tools or methods to utilize.

If a service member is deemed to be at elevated risk or if a leader develops increased concern for the wellbeing of a service member, behavioral health services are available to assist in addressing those risk and concerns. For a full description of the services available at Fort Sam Houston, see the virtual terrain walk linked to this page.

Emergency access to behavioral health services in the case of imminent danger to self or others may be obtained through the SAMMC Emergency Department. Leaders should ensure that service members in this situation have an escort who can remain with the service member at the Emergency Department until the evaluation is complete.

Urgent access to behavioral health services, in the case of a service member who screens at an elevated risk or about whom a leader, commander, or the service member themself has increased concern, walk-in assessments are available at both the Warrior Behavioral Health Service and the Campus Behavioral Health Service during duty hours.

Routine access to behavioral health services may be initiated through calling the appropriate clinic to schedule a routine appointment. Most routine appointments will be scheduled within one to two weeks.

Permanent Party Service Members

Warrior Behavioral Health Service: (210) 539-9589 or (210) 539-9567
Location: 4178 Petroleum Drive, Bldg. 3528-R
Mon – Fri 0730-1630; Walk-In Services available during duty hours

Trainee Service Members

Campus Behavioral Health Service: (210) 808-2534/2584
Location: FSH Clinic (2nd Floor)
Mon – Fri 0600-1500; Walk-In Services available during duty hours

Commanders should remember that unless a Command Directed Mental Health Evaluation (CDMHE) is requested, behavioral health providers will respect the right of the service member to maintain confidentiality with their provider and feedback to command will be very limited. Only issues concerning dangerousness or fitness for duty will generally be forwarded to command when a service member self-refers (without a request for a CDMHE). If a greater degree of feedback or answers to specific questions are desired, a CDMHE is necessary.

Refer to the linked documents for assistance in initiating a Command Directed Mental Health Evaluation (CDMHE).

Identification of Local Programs and Organizations