1. Suicide Prevention and Intervention
in the United States Army
Gregg Moore
COML 511
Gonzaga University
November 21st, 2010
Desautel and Johnston
2. Why do we need it?
• Increased
– Deployments
– stress on soldiers and their families
– suicide rate
3. Statistics
(annual rates per 100,000 people)
• US Army
– 2007: 15.1
– 2008: 19.4
– 2009: 21.7
• Other services (2009)
– Air Force: 12.5
– Navy: 13.3
– Marines: 24.0
4. Training for all soldiers
• Suicide Stand-Down
– Phase I – “Beyond the Front”
– Phase II – “Shoulder to Shoulder”
– Phase III – “Shoulder to Shoulder: No Soldier
Stands Alone”
• ACE:
– “Ask”
– “Care”
– “Escort”
5. Phase I - Beyond the Front
• 2 interactive scenarios depicting choices
soldiers may have to make when faced with
suicide.
6. Phase II - Shoulder to Shoulder
• Begins with a provoking video
• Small group discussion
• Additional scenarios
• Continues ACE:
– “Ask”
– “Care”
– “Escort”
7. Phase III - Shoulder to Shoulder:
No Soldier Stands Alone
• Annual requirement
• Roll-playing
• Sustains ACE:
– “Ask”
– “Care”
– “Escort”
8. Training for select soldiers
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
(ASIST)
– Intense two-day workshop
– Encouraged for first-line supervisors
– Uses active training and roll-playing
9. ASIST Suicide Intervention Model
Suicide Intervention Model: ASIST Workbook Page 18See LiviingWorks.net for more information
10. ASIST Suicide Intervention Model
Suicide Intervention Model: ASIST Workbook Page 18See LiviingWorks.net for more information
11. ASIST Suicide Intervention Model
Suicide Intervention Model: ASIST Workbook Page 18See LiviingWorks.net for more information
12. ASIST Suicide Intervention Model
Suicide Intervention Model: ASIST Workbook Page 18See LiviingWorks.net for more information
13. Conclusion
• Army has increased training
• Deployed mobile behavioral and mental
health teams
Sergeant Major of the
Army states:
"Not all wounds are visible. If you are
feeling depressed or suicidal, seek help.
We need you on the Army team."
“One suicide is one too many!”
SMA Kenneth O. Preston
14. References
United States Army G-1 Human Resources
Command (2010). United States Army Suicide
Prevention. Retrieved from
http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide/
LivingWorks (2008). Applied suicide intervention
skills training instructor manual. Alberta,
Canada. (also see LivingWorks.net)
