Stemming the tide of military suicide?

Tide? How about tidal wave? Confidential counseling programs don't work when they are not done right and when you have 57% of the suicides happening after they sought help, that is a pretty loud SOS that should have been heard. But it wasn't. 43% did not seek help before they committed suicide. That proves that while the stigma is a problem, so is the wrong kind of help they are getting. Medications are not the answer but most say that is all they get. As for the stigma, telling them they can train their brains to be resilient and be "mentally strong" is not the way to get rid of the stigma.

Stemming the tide of military suicide
By Robert Gebbia, executive director
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
03/20/13

Senior military leaders have been working tirelessly on the challenge of preventing suicide among the men and women who serve our country, from the secretary of Defense to commanding officers to sergeants. Yet the problem of military suicide continues to increase. So what can the military do to begin to reverse this trend and save lives?

One idea is to expand confidential counseling programs that give distressed soldiers a safe space to talk about their problems without the perceived shame they often experience when seeking help. For example, programs like Military OneSource and Military Family Life Consultants appear to be popular with service members and their families. In addition, the Army’s Confidential Alcohol Treatment and Education Program is another resource that earned positive reviews. However, after three years the program has not expanded beyond six posts. The military also tested counseling over internet based video conferencing known as the TRICARE Assistance Program. This program also appears to have been well-received, but unfortunately was cancelled last year. Perhaps the program needed to be better marketed to expand its use, and should have been given more time to determine its effectiveness.
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My comment

RAND studied the programs under "resilience training" and they said they were "poor fit in military culture" among other things. In 2009 I warned suicides would go up if they pushed these programs. Researching the book I am writing on military suicides is shocking to discover how many real experts were ignored and how many bad ones were rewarded. I have talked to too many veterans and family members to know these programs hurt more than help.