Upstream Prevention

Codie Garza — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 13:21:12 -0400

As a spouse of a U.S. Army soldier of nearly 9 years, I have learned that US military service members and veterans are a group of incredible men and women. They possess amazing survival skills, physically and mentally. Yet, we continue to see high rates of suicide among our most brave and courageous heroes. Personally, my spouse has lost too many of his close brothers to suicide in the last decade. I know his story is not unique and I find that quite heartbreaking. Our country lost 511 service members and 6,139 veterans to suicide in 2017. So how do we combat these alarming suicide rates?

In order to reduce military and veteran suicide, we must fully understand why they might see suicide as an option. It’s important to understand that there is no one reason, cause, or problem that results in suicide. Ultimately, suicide related thoughts and behavior happen when an individual’s ability to cope gets overwhelmed, just like they might get physically sick when their immune system’s ability to cope with a pathogen gets overwhelmed. There are, however, important ways of understanding the multiple paths to suicide. The key to prevention is traveling back up that path and catching people well before they’ve even started their journey to hopelessness.

What we do know?

Generally, 3 things exist when a person chooses suicide.

1) Perceived burdensomeness – feeling worthless and weak in their community (regardless of whether or not others see them that way)

As a Veteran transitions, they may struggle with trying to gain purpose once again in a civilian world. For those still serving, this feeling may come due to a setback in their career or possibly feeling invisible to their command or unit.

2) Thwarted belongingness – feeling like they don’t belong or have lost connection to their community, regardless of what others think.

A person might start to isolate themselves or may be involuntarily isolated. As a Veteran transitions from service they may be separated from their once tight-knit military community. Current service members may find themselves in this position if they are being cast out of a group for unacceptable behavior or a change in their mental health.

3) Acquired capability for suicide

As evolutionary theory explains, we are not designed to die, but to live. Our bodies are evidence of this as they are designed to protect our most valuable organs with a rib cage for the heart and lungs and a thick skull for the brain. Our natural fear systems display this when we are threatened with death, as we instinctively react to protect ourselves without thought. Therefore, in order for suicide to occur, we must bypass this instinct, or desensitize, the brain to death and pain. For our service members and veterans, this may come with the job. “Boot Camp”, “Basic Training”, or “Recruit Training” is used as an opportunity to desensitize a service member to dangerous, sometimes painful, situations and the possibility of death. This becomes very useful as they must be ready to run towards danger, not away. They may also need to value the mission and/or others’ lives over their own. Furthermore, if they have a history of repeated or intense exposure to dangerous situations such as enemy engagement, this fear of death could decrease as well.

Why does this matter?

For many, this acquired capability takes time. This is usually accomplished through suicide attempts, thrill seeking behavior, and non-lethal self-harm. That means when someone has the desire for suicide, we have time to talk them down if we can pay attention to signs and symptoms. However, for military service members and veterans, this desensitization may exist before a desire for suicide develops in the first place. That means we have to act fast if we find our brothers or sisters in crisis.

What can we do?

Upstream suicide prevention is when we address the potential risk factors before they become a problem. As a member of the military and Veteran community, you can do this with a few simple actions.

1) Addressing perceived burdensomeness – We all need help every now and then. Sometimes that’s hard to admit. However, as a leader, trusted friend, or family member we can teach others that it is okay to need help sometimes and it does not make you a burden. You can do this by leading by example, sharing your struggles with others and asking for help.
2) Addressing thwarted belongingness – Separation and isolation can be huge risk factors for suicide. One very simple way we can address this is by checking in. Simply sending a text or making a phone call to a fellow service member or Veteran to let them know you are thinking about them can make them feel less isolated and show them you are a safe person to talk to if they are in crisis. Engaging in community activities with fellow military service members or Veterans can also be a good way to create a sense of belonging.
3) Addressing acquired capability for suicide – Normalize having conversations around lethal means safety. Talk about how to store firearms safely, what your options might be if you are ever in crisis, and who you might be able to turn to. Just like preparing for a mission, safety planning conversations are best to have long before someone ever reaches crisis.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out to the Military and Veteran Crisis Line at [login to see] . Press 1 to reach a Military/Veteran responder.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 21 at 2020 1:37 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 13:37:45 -0400

Thank you for the great share Ms Codie Garza

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Sep 21 at 2020 1:48 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 13:48:58 -0400

Excellent Ma'am

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made Sep 22 at 2020 11:04 AM

SSgt Richard Kensinger — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 11:04:49 -0400

I am willing to share copies of my published research on the above specific issues and concerns. I've been conducting clinical research on these matter for over 4 yrs. I go back all the way to WW Two.
The intervening factors are much more complex than in your outline.
If interested, contact me " [login to see] ".
Rich

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 23 at 2020 3:40 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 15:40:38 -0400

I believe there are two things we can improve upon. We need to elaborate on asking for help and don't hurt yourself. We must inculcate in the minds of those who suffer from PTSD exactly where to go for help. Give them a rational answer in times of irrational and painful emotions. Find that switch to turn off reasons to die with reasons to live. It gives them a rational approach during irrational and painful times. It also simplifies life and gives them the right direction to take. It takes little investment which gives great dividends.

Response by TSgt Robert Moore made Sep 24 at 2020 8:40 PM

TSgt Robert Moore — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 20:40:22 -0400

Sadly they wait until a service member commits suicide before doing anything!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2020 1:22 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 01:22:14 -0400

Thank you for this article.

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Sep 27 at 2020 8:36 PM

SGT Robert Pryor — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 20:36:26 -0400

Codie Garza, to reinforce what SP5 Jim Curry mentions: Consider this if Rally Point cares the least little bit about suicide prevention. We have seen an administrator show blatant disregard for veterans' depression and/or PTSD. That administrator actually implied that if the admin's callous behavior exacerbates a member's problems they should not be on Rally Point. Excuse me! VA sends veterans with PTSD here to help them cope and to prevent possible suicide. So let me leave you with this question. Is Rally point going to get rid of that festering canker sore of an administrator, or take responsibility for possibly causing increased veteran suicide?
https://www.rallypoint.com/status-updates/6040219

https://www.polkcounty.org/vets/above/above.html ABOVE AND BEYOND... ... | RallyPoint

ABOVE AND BEYOND...

Response by SFC Thomas Howes made Oct 1 at 2020 1:14 PM

SFC Thomas Howes — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 13:14:06 -0400

Great job

Response by Wayne Soares made Oct 4 at 2020 8:24 AM

Wayne Soares — Sun, 04 Oct 2020 08:24:33 -0400

Great share Codie

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 4 at 2020 4:42 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 04 Oct 2020 16:42:35 -0400

Spouses of those who have PTSD need to get educated about PTSD to facilitate a meeting of the minds instead of watching the marriage going asunder. I can not stress this enough.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Feb 23 at 2021 5:41 PM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 17:41:46 -0500

We put

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Mar 30 at 2021 6:34 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 06:34:04 -0400

WOW great peace, my ptsd had taken me down the rabbit hole I kept asking my self what’s wrong with me, no friends, not caring about my self, blew up in meetings at my job, my temper went from zero to five hundred in a heart beat I kept praying to god asking for help, I was going to church but it just was not working, then one Sunday I went to another church near my home,now I found a place in life I’m a member, on the board of members, into judged for being a Vietnam veteran, i still have a long way to go. My point is if I can do it so can anyone else you just have to keep asking it will come just don’t give up on yourself.