I’ve spent the last two days learning the “Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training” (ASIST) model for suicide prevention.
As you may know, the Army has been experiencing record high rates of suicide among our Soldiers. I have seen first hand how this effects families and units—the loss of these Soldiers is devastating to the force. These Soldiers have so much to offer the world and the world has so much to offer them. It is a terribly sad day when a Soldier takes his or her life.
Upon in-processing here at Fort Bliss, every Soldier must attend the ASIST two day workshop to learn how to help their buddies who are under stress. Frankly, I was at first turned off by having to go. I have completed this training in the past and I have too much experience working with suicidal people. But, after two days of review I am proud to see what Fort Bliss is doing to stop suicide here. All Soldiers who come to Fort Bliss are trained in this model which gives every Soldier the skills to help other Soldiers escape suicide. It is a great program, led by other Soldiers—it is good to see the effort put into preventing suicide.