III Corps has lost another soldier: not to a car accident, not to an RPG attack in Iraq, but to suicide. Since January, nine Fort Hood soldiers have taken their own lives, and six of those since May. Everyone should pause and realize that we have lost six soldiers to suicide in a little over two months! We have lost more soldiers to suicide in the past six months than were lost all last year. I am alarmed and distraught by these soldiers' deaths. Every soldier, every friend and every leader should realize his obligation to help end this horrible and sad trend.

Don't discount the severity of this trend. While over 40,000 soldiers call Fort Hood home, the eight soldiers who committed suicide this year represent only a small portion of the problem. Already this year at Fort Hood, 32 other soldiers have attempted to take their lives, but thankfully they were unsuccessful, and 106 other soldiers have somehow demonstrated a desire to commit suicide. Who knows how many other soldiers or leaders within III Corps have demonstrated suicidal behavior. And would we know the warning signs?

Warning Signs. Statistics show that 80 percent of individuals who commit or attempt suicide show clear warning signs. The most obvious of these is an actual suicidal gesture or threat. Never assume that someone is joking when they mention suicide.

Your actions could save that individual's life. Some less obvious indicators of suicidal behavior are unexpected personality changes or sudden unexplained mood elevation, increased alcohol or drug use, deteriorating work performance, frequent physical complaints and medical appointments, the stopping of medications or the saving of a lethal supply, the giving away of possessions, and the purchase of weapons.

If someone demonstrates any of these indicators then steps must be taken to ensure that the individual cannot act on these self-destructive impulses. The number one cause of attempted suicide is the recent or threatened end of a relationship. Some additional factors that could place an individual at greater risk for suicide are prior suicide gestures or attempts, psychiatric disorders, work problems, disciplinary problems, a family history of suicide, hopelessness, and a sense of isolation.

THIS LINE SHOULD NOT BE HERE.

Getting Help. Unfortunately, the bravado of the U.S. Army seems to discourage some soldiers and leaders from seeking help for personal problems. The first step in reducing suicides is for leaders to de-stigmatize seeking help from mental health professionals and unit chaplains. Leaders must create environments that encourage openness.

Soldiers must know that leaders will keep their problems and issues private and that mental health referrals rarely result in separation from the Army. Most importantly, soldiers and leaders must ensure friends, coworkers, leaders and subordinates get help. Leaders must provide time for soldiers to get help. Do not assume that a soldier who exhibits suicidal tendencies will not commit suicide in a field environment: the 4th Infantry Division lost a soldier recently in Iraq to suicide.

If a soldier perceives that a friend or coworker is suicidal, he should persuade the individual to come with him to the hospital or to the chaplain. If the potentially suicidal individual will not go, then the MPs should be contacted. Do not, under any circumstance, allow the suicidal individual to be alone. Remove any weapons or potentially dangerous objects that the individual might have access to. Do not attempt to debate the morality of suicide or minimize the individual?s problems, and definitely do not challenge the person to do it.

The Army is well equipped to deal with and counsel those who are contemplating suicide. 1st Cav. Div., 4th Inf. Div., and III Corps non-divisional units all have mental health teams to handle and treat suicidal soldiers. Within Darnall Army Community Hospital, four separate departments are capable of handling these cases: the Department of Psychiatry, the Department of Psychology, the Department of Social Work and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program.

If someone is suicidal, ensure he goes to one of these locations as soon as possible. Know your soldiers, your coworkers and your friends. Never discount an individual's problems. I would much rather have a leader refer a non-suicidal soldier for help than for a leader or friend to overlook a suicidal soldier.

Scan, Focus, Act. Leaders and soldiers alike must scan, focus and act. Always be on the lookout for the warning signs of a suicidal individual. Get to know your soldiers, coworkers and friends. Remain aware of the warning signs so that an alarm will go off when you observe potentially suicidal behavior. Act immediately to get that individual help.

One suicide within III Corps is too many, and we already had nine since January. I challenge all those within III Corps to take personal responsibility for helping stop this horrible trend by caring about themselves and others and being proactive rather than reactive to suicide prevention.

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