Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Saving a life turns into bad reflection of what is going on

I just posted the report of Suicides at Fort Carson appear to be rising and then saw this headline.

3rd Medical Depoyment Support Command prevents suicide through intervention


I read it thinking that this could be a really great story but soon after I began reading it, I was sad. This isn't a feel good story of a life saved but a reminder of how many have been lost because they didn't get what they needed to want to stay alive.

3rd Medical Depoyment Support Command prevents suicide through intervention
3rd Medical Deployment Support Command
Story by Master Sgt. Serbennia Davis and Sgt. Anthony Mitchell
Sgt. Anthony Mitchell
Spc. Ciera Burts shares her story about a time when she saved a classmate from attempting to commit suicide. She stayed with her all night until she could get professional help for her on the next day.

FORT GILLEM, Ga. – “When I got a call on the weekend, I knew something was wrong,” said Maj. Renata Hannah in a very serious tone.

Maj. Hannah recounted a time when she intervened with one of her soldiers who wanted to commit suicide.

“I was on my way out of town, but I immediately turned around and kept her on the telephone for 45 minutes until I reached her house,” continued Hannah.

She had ministered to the soldier for six months prior to the phone call. She could tell that her soldier was in deep emotional distress. Maj. Hannah reminded the soldier of her children and family. She used her training in suicide prevention to avert a disaster. Her actions saved a life on that particular day.

Recently, 3rd Medical Deployment Support Command conducted an extensive suicide prevention stand down. The purpose was to educate every soldier in effective ways to help a struggling soldier who might contemplate or attempt suicide. Army-wide suicide is a very serious problem that 3rd MDSC leadership is fighting to eliminate. In the stand down meeting, 3rd MDSC soldiers were introduced to startling facts and statistics.

“There have been more suicides in the Army than combat deaths,” exclaimed 1sg Sgt. Danny Kelley when addressing troops.
read more here
There is no doubt Maj. Hannah saved a soldier's life that day. The soldier trusted her enough to make that call. That says a lot about the Major.

Now let's focus on the rest of the story.

Six months she ministered to the soldier. Yet she still wanted to commit suicide. That says despite all the Major's dedication, it was not enough to help enough to help the soldier heal enough.

Spc. Ciera Burts had to stay with the soldier all night until the next morning for professional help but we've been told there is someone available around the clock. Why wasn't there someone the Spec. could have taken the soldier to?

There is so much wrong with what is happening that someone needs to be held accountable. Why are there more suicides and more push to repeat the same mistakes?

No comments:

Post a Comment

If it is not helpful, do not be hurtful. Spam removed so do not try putting up free ad.