|
|
|
The views expressed on this page are
solely
those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the views of County
News Online
|
|
depositphotos
Prevention Action Alliance
Veterans, Active-Duty Military Need Mental Health Support
The following Our Thoughts was written by Jason Hughes, veteran liaison
and program manager at the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation. Jason is
a veteran of the United States Army, a published author, and has more
than ten years of experience in victim advocacy and suicide prevention.
Please join us in thanking Jason and OSPF for sharing their thoughts
with us.
Imagine it is a Friday evening and you just finished an exhausting
40-hour work week filled with multiple Zoom meetings, budgeting
deadlines, and the ongoing, changing environment created by the
coronavirus. Most people would be focused on relaxing and the
extracurricular activities they have scheduled throughout the weekend.
Unfortunately, this is not the plan for an Ohio Army National Guard
(OHARNG) service member. This weekend, they have a Multiple Unit
Training Assembly (MUTA) 4 scheduled.
Their day will begin with an Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) that
requires them to perform push-ups, sit-ups, and a 2-mile run. After the
APFT they will prepare for a two-day Homeland Response Force (HRF)
exercise that focuses on a simulated Chemical Biological Radiological
Nuclear (CBRN) and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) incident. They’ll
finish the weekend with a brief about a potential overseas deployment
in the upcoming year.
Meanwhile, the stress and anxiety of their home life doesn’t stop just
because of the complexity of their military mission. They’ll think, “I
can’t believe I am going to miss Sarah’s musical, again this year! I
hope she understands why I can’t be there.” This is what an OHARNG
Citizen Soldier tries to compartmentalize while they’re on duty. Yes,
this is something they had to consider when they voluntarily raised
their right hand. However, this does not mean they are exempt from
potential mental health side effects.
Due to Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom
(OIF), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) are hot topics within the veteran and service member community.
However, other mental health issues and suicide rates are not commonly
discussed, outside of their annual Suicide Prevention Training. The
OHARNG uses the Ask, Care, Escort (ACE) training model. The training
increases awareness of suicide risk factors and warning signs, the
resources available to prevent suicide, and encourages intervention
with at-risk service members. There are additional training resources
such as the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA).
The high levels of activity of the average service member combined with
their ongoing, personal responsibilities have secondary and tertiary
effects. According to the Department of Defense 2018 Annual Suicide
Report, 541 service members died by suicide in the United States .
Despite these statistics, we know that suicide can be prevented and
individuals in crisis can be supported and connected with effective
mental health services. The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF)
seeks to equip and empower service members, veterans, and their
families with the knowledge to identify the warning signs of suicide,
confidence to ask about thoughts of suicide, and the ability to refer
to mental health providers, specializing in military culture. OSPF also
works with the OHARNG and military-serving organizations across Ohio to
promote greater understanding and awareness of mental health and
suicide prevention. Learn more about OSPF on their website at
ohiospf.org.
It is important for not only service members and veterans to seek help,
but their family and loved ones too. In Crisis? Call the Veteran Crisis
Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 or Text 838255.
|
|
|
|
