Drum tries to tackle suicide problem

FORT DRUM — Less than a week after taking over command of the 10th Mountain Division, Maj. Gen. James L. Terry spoke out strongly Thursday morning at a walk aimed at preventing suicide among soldiers and their family members.

"Look to your left and to your right, soldiers," he said, speaking before a group of about 100 gathered on the chilly morning about 7 a.m. outside division headquarters. "Soldiers take care of each other. ... There is nothing out there that is worth a soldier or a family member taking their life."

The general said Fort Drum's two suicides last year were two too many, and the Army as a whole was on track to increase the number of solider suicides this year over last.

The issue has come to the forefront as suicides among soldiers have increased steadily over the past three years. The rate is estimated at about 20.2 per 100,000 soldiers for the past few years.

In his remarks, Gen. Terry brought the issue closer to home, saying his grandfather's decision to take his own life had made his family members victims as well.

"I missed a grandfather, and I missed a part of my father's life," he said.

The walk, in its second year and organized by the Army Substance Abuse Program, was meant to help dispel some of that stigma, organizers said — and to publicize resources available for those needing help.

But one soldier, who identified himself only as a staff sergeant and refused to give his name, said the taboo associated with mental health treatment for service members is still strong.

"They have the programs, but if you use them... you won't gain rank.; you're seen as weak." he said.

Despite turning out for the event aimed at encouraging soldiers to seek help if they need it, he said if he ever needed those services, "I wouldn't go."

"We're not saying that the stigma is gone — God knows that's the truth — but we're working to diminish it," said Fort Drum media relations officer Julie A. Cupernall.

Aside from a military culture that emphasizes strength and self-sufficiency, soldiers may be deterred from seeking treatment by the fear their leadership could be notified.

Todd L. Benham, chief of Fort Drum's Behavioral Health Department, said such notification is not automatic for soldiers seeking help.

"A soldier's chain of command is not generally notified if a soldier is seeking behavioral health treatment," he said in a written statement Thursday.

"There are, however, specific instances where a soldier's chain of command might need to be informed, such as to protect the safety of the soldier or to protect others with whom the soldier might come into contact. There are also specific programs or evaluations that require command involvement, but the soldier is made aware of those programs and/or evaluations prior to the appointment."

Spc. David L. Dexter, an infantryman with Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team said he turned out for the event because "my friend's father committed suicide and it affected him a lot. It affected our group of friends."

Spc. Dexter said he has never faced the issue of suicidal thoughts or behavior among anyone he knows, but if it ever came up, "I'd talk to them as much as I could, and I'd recommend that he talk to a chaplain."

"Or Behavioral Health," a soldier standing nearby piped in.

"Or Behavioral Health," Pfc. Dexter agreed. But, he said, "A lot of people are more comfortable with a chaplain."