Panetta: Junior leaders can stop suicides

Panetta: Junior leaders can stop suicides
By Patricia Kime
Staff writer
Army Times
Posted : Friday Jun 22, 2012

According to monthly service reports, the Army had 76 suicides through June 1 while the Marine Corps had 18. The Air Force had 35 as of May 1, according to figures provided to Air Force Times. The Navy does not publish monthly statistics, but at least 20 sailors have committed suicide this year.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Friday that preventing suicides is a foremost leadership responsibility shouldered by all commanders, but especially by junior leader, non-commissioned officers and petty officers with direct oversight over troops.

Calling suicide “the most frustrating challenge” of his position, Panetta said the Defense Department can create programs, conduct research and lead innovation in neuroscience, but leaders must tackle the issue “head on” because prevention falls to them.

“We will not tolerate actions that belittle, that haze, that ostracize any individual, particularly those who have made the decision to get help. Leadership throughout the department must make it understood that seeking help is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness,” he said. read more here