By USPHS Lt. Cmdr. David Barry, DCoE
clinical psychologist
We hear about suicide in the news, read
about it on the Internet, and each of us in our own way work toward preventing
the loss of lives. Rarely, do we get the opportunity to discuss suicide as a
community. I was privileged to be able to attend and present at the fourth
annual DoD/VA Suicide Prevention Conference. For me, it was a great opportunity
to share my perspective on suicide prevention and to learn from leaders,
service members and notable civilian organizations.
During the three-day conference, the
secretaries for the Defense Department, Department of Health and Human
Services, and Department of Veteran Affairs voiced their concerns and future
plan of attack to combat suicide. The secretaries spoke to the importance of
ending suicides, providing quality programs and communicating suicide programs
and research amongst departments, service branches, providers, peers and
individuals.
Each speech resonated with me in
different, yet meaningful ways. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s call for
pioneering and breaking “new ground in understanding the human mind and human
emotion” encouraged me to strive to further learn and participate in preventing
suicides. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius inspired
hope for our country as she spoke of removing “any distinction between
behavioral and mental health.” As a substance abuse provider and subject matter
expert, I was motivated and encouraged by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric
Shinseki’s call to target and prevent substance abuse as a means to prevent
suicide and veteran homelessness.
Throughout the conference, speakers
emphasized the point that suicide isn’t an isolated event, and it’s
preventable. Valuable information to prevent suicides was integrated into a
bountiful agenda. At times, it was difficult to choose which session to attend,
since there were many intriguing breakout sessions. The sessions I attended, I
found to be particularly informative and significant, such as the association
of sleep and suicide discussion, skill-building exercises and breakouts
focusing on the service member and their families. Numerous times throughout
the conference, other attendees often remarked on the quality and utility of
the presentations they attended.
I was fortunate to present on a topic dear
to me, Substance Abuse Prevention: Reducing the Risk of Suicide. I highlighted
the importance of engaging in substance misuse prevention as a means to reduce
risk factors for suicide, while augmenting an individual’s protective factors.
Attendees at my presentation were receptive and seemed very engaged in the
topic. It was a rewarding moment for me to be able to support our service men
and women, while contributing to a conference that’s making a difference within
the military and civilian communities.
As a psychologist, provider and peer, I
found it encouraging that there is a community of professionals and caregivers
who are supported by their upper echelon of leadership and are committed to
eliminating suicide. I wasn’t only inspired and motivated, but also reassured
that the services, Defense Department and civilian leaders are working harder
than ever toward improving the lives of those who’ve served our country in
uniform. The participation of senior leaders, senior military enlisted, and
many other distinguished speakers made this year’s suicide prevention
conference not only informative, but unprecedented and historic.
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