Fort Campbell suicide prevention efforts target a killer by shooting blanks

They just keep repeating the same failures over and over again hoping that if they just talk about all of it more, it will suddenly work. They have learned very little. All of these programs are like putting blanks in machine guns and hoping they can just bash the target instead.

Fort Campbell suicide prevention efforts target a killer
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and the 101st is ready to Stand Up to Suicide
Sep 24, 2012
Written by
Erin Stattel
Fort Campbell-101st Airborne Division Public Affairs Office.

FORT CAMPBELL, KY. — While suicide has long been believed to be a silent killer, the command at Fort Campbell and the 101st Airborne Division believe the warning signs often sound the loudest alarms. Knowing those warning signs can mean the difference between life and death.

“We would like our soldiers to look at brain injuries and illnesses much in the same way they look at physical injuries and illnesses,” said Maj. Gen. James C. McConville, commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell.

“Prevention and early intervention are the secrets to success. Our Soldiers don't have problems going to see a doctor when they are physically injured or ill, yet they are sometimes reluctant to do so with behavioral health issues. Knowing this, we are putting embedded behavioral health teams at the brigade level to provide this service at the point of need and make it more convenient to get.”

As part of the U.S. Army’s Suicide Prevention Month, Fort Campbell and the 101st Airborne Division will host several events throughout the week to educate, train and prepare soldiers, families and civilians on spotting the warning signs of suicide.

Community members will also receive briefings on how to live healthier by making better decisions on how to handle the stressors that come with Army life. The week culminates with a Suicide Stand Up Day, Sept. 27-28, with training seminars led within soldiers’ units. A wellness walk, Sept. 29, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Sportsman’s Lodge, will provide a healthy, family-friendly way to deal with any lingering frustrations or stress in the tradition of a German Volksmarch.
read more here

I am not kidding myself thinking one day the DOD and the VA would listen to people like me. After all, they don't have a clue who I am or what I know. That's the point! They haven't learned anything new because they don't try to. I've been doing this blog, tracking all the reports from across the country for 5 years but I doubt they read a single post including the ones where I slammed them for repeating the same mistakes. That is not the part that upsets me the most. There are others out there with a larger following and a lot more power than I have but they are not listened to any more than I am.

Notice the date on this report.

They thought it was a huge problem back then. So what do they say looking back at those numbers now and how much money, time and lives were lost because they didn't even learn anything back then?