Camp Shelby using video to prevent military suicides

Preventing Soldier Suicides


Posted: Jan 10, 2012

Camp Shelby, MS (WDAM) - Suicide rates in the military have been rising for the past six years, but folks at Mississippi's Camp Shelby are trying an inventive new method to combat that trend.

They've made a video.

With the base as their stage, and the soldiers as actors, they're considering it a success.

"Everyone was a little bit nervous. We're soldiers by trade, so we're not starring in our first Hollywood debut," said Major Deidre Musgrave, Camp Shelby public affairs officer.

Soldiers from the base star in the 23 minute video they have produced; an attempt to make suicide a subject to talk about, rather than one that is taboo.

"You can see training videos all day long - it's getting the information out. But when you put a home base, or a hometown touch to it," said Staff Sergeant Jeannie Whaley. "They start paying more attention,"

The movie is geared toward soldiers specifically, and the problems they can sometimes have to deal with all at once.

Problems at home, being a parent, a new marriage, the stress of leaving home suddenly, and the pressures of being a soldier away from home.

At some moment in the video staff say soldiers laugh at a little bit because they may recognize an officer playing a character, but the staff say that's a good sign - it means they're paying attention.

Suicide among soldiers has been rising for the last six years.
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