February Suicide Information

The Army released suicide data today for the month of February.  During February, among active-duty soldiers, there were 11 potential suicides:  three have been confirmed as suicides and eight remain under investigation.  For January, the Army reported 16 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers.  Since the release of that report, 11 have been confirmed as suicides and five remain under investigation.  For calendar year (CY) 2012, there have been 27 potential active-duty suicides:  14 have been confirmed as suicides and 13 remain under investigation.  Updated active-duty suicide numbers for CY 2011:  166 (157 have been confirmed as suicides and nine remain under investigation).

During February, among Reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were three potential suicides (three Army National Guard and no Army Reserve):  none have been confirmed as suicide and three remain under investigation.  For January, among that same group, the Army reported six potential suicides (five Army National Guard and one Army Reserve).  Since the release of that report, four have been confirmed as suicides and two remain under investigation.  For CY 2012, there have been nine potential not on active duty suicides (eight Army National Guard and one Army Reserve):  four have been confirmed as suicides and five remain under investigation.  Updated not on active duty suicide numbers for CY 2011:  116 (80 Army National Guard and 36 Army Reserve); 113 have been confirmed as suicides and three remain under investigation.

 “Leaders across our Army recognize that the health of our soldiers, Army civilians and family members is a top priority.  We remain committed to doing what is needed to care for our most precious asset -- our people, thereby ensuring a healthy and resilient force for the future,” said Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, vice chief of staff, U.S. Army.  “We must maintain our shared focus and continue these most important efforts in the days ahead.”

Soldiers and families in need of crisis assistance can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  Trained consultants are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and can be contacted by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and pressing “1” for military members and veterans or by visiting their website at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org .

The Army’s comprehensive list of Suicide Prevention Program information is located at http://www.preventsuicide.army.mil .

Army leaders can access current health promotion guidance in newly revised Army Regulation 600-63 (Health Promotion) at: http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r600_63.pdf and Army Pamphlet 600-24 (Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention) at http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/p600_24.pdf .

Suicide prevention training resources for soldiers, leaders, Department of the Army civilians, and family members can be accessed at http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/training_sub.asp?sub_cat=20 (requires Army Knowledge Online access to download materials).

Information about Military OneSource is located at www.militaryonesource.com or by dialing the toll-free number 1-800-342-9647 for those residing in the continental U.S.  Overseas personnel should refer to the Military OneSource website for dialing instructions for their specific location.

Information about the Army’s Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program is located at http://www.army.mil/csf .

The Defense Center for Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) Outreach Center can be contacted at 1-866-966-1020, via electronic mail at Resources@DCoEOutreach.org and at http://www.dcoe.health.mil .

The website for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is http://www.afsp.org , and the Suicide Prevention Resource Council website is found at http://www.sprc.org/index.asp .