GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Each loss of life by suicide is a tragedy and the variety of suicide deaths within the army continues to rise.
As we method the tip of psychological well being consciousness month and close to memorial day, I will be sharing tales and sources on army psychological well being and suicide consciousness.
Service members put their life on the road to guard our nation every day.
However as of December thirty first, the DoD reviews 518 army members have taken their very own lives.
Moreover, a latest examine executed by Brown College reveals since Sept. 11, extra energetic obligation members and veterans have died by suicide than in fight.
Whereas they’re nonetheless beneath investigation by the air pressure workplace of particular investigations, I have been informed of three reported suicides at Malmstrom Air Drive Base within the final 3 months.
“One is just too many. It hurts to lose one airmen and definitely would not really feel any higher to lose a couple of and one hurts the unit, their household, all of it hurts… Every lack of an airmen hurts me, and makes me marvel what am I doing fallacious that I can not take the damage away?… It makes me query myself. I’ve cried as a result of it hurts me, but it surely’s not about me, I cry for his or her staff after which the loss that then they should fill. And I am certain a number of them are questions why could not I see this, why could not I’ve helped them,” mentioned Col. Anita Feugate Opperman, 341st Wing Commander.
Might 23-27 we’ll be sharing tales from first responders, MAFB, the Montana Air Nationwide Guard, and the Montana Military Nationwide Guard which might be tough to inform and tough to listen to but it surely’s one thing hitting near residence for a lot of Montanans.
Our aim is to be open and trustworthy and ensure it doesn’t matter what your background is, army or not, there’s assist ready for you.
Assets out there in case you or somebody is scuffling with ideas o f suicide:
Sources for knowledge within the story above: