FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Fort Eustis will host a series of events as part of the Army-wide suicide prevention stand-down day, scheduled for Sept.
27.
The events will include a "run for resilience," a run-walk originating at Murphy Field. Maj. Gen. Bradley May, the deputy commanding general of Initial Military Training and the Joint Base Langley-Eustis Army element senior commander, will provide remarks prior to the run, which is tentatively scheduled for an early-morning start time. The event will be open to everyone, and not limited to Army units.
Following the run, Soldiers will participate in "command time," where units will conduct activities that may include peer-to-peer training and leader-led discussions to enhance awareness of risk and protective factors, resilience and support services available.
Most importantly, this will provide an opportunity for leaders to communicate that Soldiers are not alone, that leaders care and that the Army must stand "shoulder to shoulder" in combatting suicide.
At midday, Fort Eustis senior leaders will participate in a luncheon at the Fort Eustis club. Bob Delaney, a National Basketball Association referee and victim of post-traumatic stress, will serve as guest speaker.
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. Delaney will also speak to a Soldiers, civilians and family members at Jacobs Theater later that evening.
The Regimental Memorial Chapel will host suicide prevention counseling for Soldiers at three different times during the day - 9 a.m, 10 a.m., and 1 p.m. Soldiers can register for counseling by contacting Chap. (Lt. Col.) Timothy Smith at 878-1316.
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 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."
Specific details, including times and location of events, will be released as they become available. 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 contributed to this report.