thedrifter
03-27-09, 07:56 AM
Suicide causes concern
3/26/2009 By Sgt. Darhonda Rodela , Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Forty-one Marines committed suicide in 2008 and a total of 146 Marines attempted it.
Because of these alarming numbers, commanding officers were ordered through Marine Administrative Message 134/09 to conduct mandatory suicide prevention training no later than March 31.
Suicide awareness and prevention training is not new; however, new initiatives are being implemented to reduce suicides, according to the message.
Suicide training informs individual Marines not only on recognizing the signs of suicide, but it also lets them know how they can help.
Five suicide prevention briefs were held at the base theater and trained more than 600 Marines within Marine Corps Base Headquarters and Support Battalion, March 23.
Suicide is a critical issue for the Marine Corps and everyone is vulnerable, said Col. Philippe D. Rogers, commanding officer, H&S Bn., MCB.
“You wouldn’t leave an injured buddy on the battlefield, and you won’t ignore an injured buddy in garrison,” he emphasized during the brief for the battalion.
In an urgent effort to thwart suicide amongst all ranks in the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, gathered 25 noncommissioned officers and other Marines to speak and seek thoughts on how to prevent suicide, Rogers said.
“You are not immune to suicide according to your pay grade,” said Col. James B. Seaton III, commanding officer, MCB.
Seaton, who attended one of the suicide prevention briefs, urged Marines to “give suicide your individual attention” and intervene.
“Everyone in the Marine Corps should be concerned with our problem,” he added.
The brief identified the top five suicide-associated stressors to be romantic relationship issues, work-related problems, negative legal or administrative action, physical health problems and job dissatisfaction, all of which can accumulate and trigger each other.
“It’s not just Marines who have deployed,” Rogers said, “Marines are just as likely to (commit suicide) if they haven’t deployed.”
Rogers added, “Don’t be afraid to ask that question. They may be waiting for you to ask them just to see if you’ll listen.”
“Marines try to be tough and end up holding everything inside,” Rogers said.
There is no need to “act tough,” he said, adding that help is available to everyone.
For more information about suicide prevention, call the 24-hour National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit local resources such as Semper Fit personnel, Marine and Family Services counselors or your chaplain.
Ellie
3/26/2009 By Sgt. Darhonda Rodela , Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Forty-one Marines committed suicide in 2008 and a total of 146 Marines attempted it.
Because of these alarming numbers, commanding officers were ordered through Marine Administrative Message 134/09 to conduct mandatory suicide prevention training no later than March 31.
Suicide awareness and prevention training is not new; however, new initiatives are being implemented to reduce suicides, according to the message.
Suicide training informs individual Marines not only on recognizing the signs of suicide, but it also lets them know how they can help.
Five suicide prevention briefs were held at the base theater and trained more than 600 Marines within Marine Corps Base Headquarters and Support Battalion, March 23.
Suicide is a critical issue for the Marine Corps and everyone is vulnerable, said Col. Philippe D. Rogers, commanding officer, H&S Bn., MCB.
“You wouldn’t leave an injured buddy on the battlefield, and you won’t ignore an injured buddy in garrison,” he emphasized during the brief for the battalion.
In an urgent effort to thwart suicide amongst all ranks in the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, gathered 25 noncommissioned officers and other Marines to speak and seek thoughts on how to prevent suicide, Rogers said.
“You are not immune to suicide according to your pay grade,” said Col. James B. Seaton III, commanding officer, MCB.
Seaton, who attended one of the suicide prevention briefs, urged Marines to “give suicide your individual attention” and intervene.
“Everyone in the Marine Corps should be concerned with our problem,” he added.
The brief identified the top five suicide-associated stressors to be romantic relationship issues, work-related problems, negative legal or administrative action, physical health problems and job dissatisfaction, all of which can accumulate and trigger each other.
“It’s not just Marines who have deployed,” Rogers said, “Marines are just as likely to (commit suicide) if they haven’t deployed.”
Rogers added, “Don’t be afraid to ask that question. They may be waiting for you to ask them just to see if you’ll listen.”
“Marines try to be tough and end up holding everything inside,” Rogers said.
There is no need to “act tough,” he said, adding that help is available to everyone.
For more information about suicide prevention, call the 24-hour National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit local resources such as Semper Fit personnel, Marine and Family Services counselors or your chaplain.
Ellie