JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
In January of 2009, more soldiers committed suicide than those killed by enemy fire in Afghanistan and Iraq combined. That statistic shocked me into writing on the subject.
More than 1 million people commit suicide every year throughout the United States. Here in South Carolina, suicide is the second leading cause of all violent deaths.
It's particularly important for everyone to be aware of the signs surrounding suicide thoughts or attempts. We all have the yearly required training and often forget the message behind it. It only takes one person's actions to save a life.
As our military men and women return from deployments overseas, there is something that each of us can do to help prevent suicides from happening. If you suspect someone is in trouble, don't be afraid to talk to them about it. The risk for suicide is often limited, and if you can help someone in trouble survive the immediate crisis, you have gone a long way toward promoting a positive outcome.
Most suicidal ideas are associated with treatable diseases, and helping someone find a safe environment or treatment can often save their life. Remember if someone expresses a suicidal thought do not leave them alone.
As a member of the military it is important to put your fellow Airman or Sailors first. If you are concerned about a fellow service member having suicidal thoughts, act immediately. Get those individuals help. It is more important to do something immediately rather than wait--every minute matters. Don't worry about their career because if they don't get help, suicide will end their career for them. There is always time to recover and the military can provide the help to get them through whatever problems they may have and put them on the right path.