homework#2
15 August 2019
MEMORANDUM FOR FACULTY ADVISOR
SUBJECT: Reducing the Number of Soldiers Committing Suicide
1. Problem. To determine the optimum method to ensure our Soldiers receive the best support and medical attention needed to remain a productive member of the unit.
2. Recommendation. Course of Action 2. This course of action is the most beneficial because it fosters trust and encourages bonding of shared experiences among the Soldier’s peers. This program is easy to implement at the unit level involving the Soldier’s peers and leadership. This program can assist in reducing the Soldier’s suicidal ideations and, therefore, retaining the Soldier in the unit as a productive member. Furthermore, reducing the number of Soldiers committing suicide.
3. Background. Suicide in the military is a very serious problem. According to the Center for Deployment Psychology, the Army has the highest proportional number of suicides compared to the other services. Historically, suicide rates were lower in the military than those found in the general population. However, with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the military suicide rates have increased and surpassed the rates for society as a whole. Therefore, the Department of Defense took steps to increase suicide prevention efforts. Furthermore, individual states developed relevant and effective programs that provide excellent Soldier care and help reduce suicides and suicidal behaviors.
4. Facts.
a. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 24 to 35 year olds. About two-thirds of people who completed suicide were in a depressed state of mind at the time of their death.
b. There is no single cause to suicide. Suicide most often occurs when stressors exceed current coping abilities of someone suffering from a mental health condition. Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) is one of the mental health conditions military Soldiers suffer.
c. Some of the top stressors identified by the Center of Deployment Psychology were failed intimate relationships, occupational, legal, financial, and psychiatric problems.
d. The Department of Defense Quarterly Suicide Report for the third quarter of 2015 stated the military services reported there were 72 Active Component suicides and 70 Reserve Component suicides with 38 suicides in the Reserves and 32 in the National Guard.
5. Assumptions.
a. Increasing mandated classes on suicide prevention would help reduce the stigma of Soldiers labeled as weak individuals who cannot handle their problems.
b. Dispelling the misconception about people committing suicides could enhance the sensitivity of unit members to pay closer attention to their fellow Soldiers.
c. Incorporating Resilience teams with unit personnel can build trust, unit cohesion, and confidence in the leadership, which can assist Soldiers with coming forward to ask for help.
d. Providing a platform for discussion will allow Soldiers to interact with their peers to share information such as support resources and positive coping strategies.
6. Courses of Action.
a. Course of Action 1. Risk/Crisis Intervention. Crisis support teams are partnered with licensed counselors and military chaplains working together to enhance Soldier/Family resilience and assess company level needs.
b. Course of Action 2. Peer-to-Peer Programs. Training Servicemembers to support and guide other Servicemembers and their families to sustain themselves through difficult times. The trained peer support specialist can offer his/her own listening and communication skills to the distressed Servicemembers. They can also stand in the gap to help find the professional help the Servicemembers need.
c. Course of Action 3. Support Hotlines. A suicide response hotline that provides qualified support and tele-intervention efforts to Soldiers with suicidal ideations or behaviors. Additionally, a clinical psychologist is on call to take direct and personal control of the crisis intervention.
7. Criteria.
a. Screening Criteria. COA must provide tangible benefits for the Servicemembers harboring suicidal ideations and behaviors. Courses of Action 1, 2, and 3 effectively meet the screening criteria. Any of the three methods are compatible in reducing the number of suicides among our Servicemembers.
b. Evaluation Criteria.
(1) Evaluation Criteria 1 (Cost). COA should provide the necessary benefits to the Service member that is most cost effective for the government.
(2) Evaluation Criteria 2 (Implementation). COA should be executable within a specific time frame as to not degrade the need for the programs to be in place to assist the Service member at the unit level.
(3) Evaluation Criteria 3 (Appropriate). COA must provide beneficial support that is achievable and practical to the Service members.
c. Weighting of Criteria. The weighting of each criterion is the same. The cost is not an issue when implementing a plan or program that is informative and provides the medical benefits to retain a Soldier as a productive member of a unit. The third criterion relates to how well the plan or program will benefit the Soldier and unit. The second evaluation criteria would be the most effective.
8. Analysis.
a. COAs. Screened Out.
b. COA 1. Risk/Crisis Invention.
(1) Advantages. Gatekeepers and subject matter experts provide on-call/hands-on risk mitigation and suicide intervention efforts to Soldiers and family members to eliminate or reduce risky behavior.
(2) Disadvantages. If untrained/unlicensed personnel conduct the risk/crisis intervention, it could result in more harm than good to the Soldiers or family members.
c. COA 2. Peer-to-Peer Programs.
(1) Advantages. Peer support intervention leverages shared experiences to foster trust, decrease stigma, and create a sustainable forum for seeking help. Additionally, the peer supporters “speak the same language” as those, they are helping. Resulting in sharing experiences, which fosters an environment of credibility and trust.
(2) Disadvantages. When a peer supporter is chosen from a group of individuals who know each other, there is the possibility that those not chosen may be resentful. Furthermore, the violation of trust by one peer supporter could potentially discredit an entire Peer-to-Peer Program.
d. COA 3. Support Hotlines
(1) Advantages. This is a 24-hour emotional support hotline that helps individuals in distress and attempting to prevent suicides. It is confidential, anonymous, and does not use caller ID that makes the person feel safe.
(2) Disadvantages. Not physically having a counselor in the presence of the Soldier going through the crisis could present a bigger problem. Calling from a location where the Soldier can be easily interrupted. This COA does not involve the unit leadership, therefore making the unit unaware there is a problem with the Soldier.
9. Comparison.
a. The method used in COA 1. This method uses subject matter experts and licensed personnel. However, this COA does not give off the sense of warmth and personal closeness which could allow the Soldier to really open up to discuss their distresses. In COA 2, the Peer-to-Peer method fosters unit cohesion and allows the peer supporters to share some of the same experiences. Thus securing a level of trust and confidence the Soldiers need to communicate about their problems/thoughts of suicidal ideations. As with COA 3, this method can offer confidentiality and anonymity to the Soldier on the telephone but does not involve the unit or leadership. Course of Action 2 is the most logical method to use of the other two COAs because it allows the unit leadership and peers involvement in the process of bringing the Soldier back to the unit as productive member.
10. Conclusion. Suicide is a serious problem facing not only the men and women of the military service but society in general. However, the military’s goal is to reduce the number of suicides reported for our Soldiers. This goal can be reached though different avenues. The Department of Defense took measures to incorporate several programs to increase suicide awareness and prevention. Several of these programs are in place in many states. One such program is the Peer-to-Peer program. COA 2 is the easiest program to implement at the unit level. It is very beneficial, cost effective, fosters unit cohesion, and leadership involvement. Ensuring a stronger Soldier emerges from the darkness of suicidal ideations.
11. Coordination.
ACof S, G-1 CONCUR/NONCONCUR_____________CMT______DATE:______
DPTM CONCUR/NONCONCUR_____________CMT______DATE:______
12. APPROVAL/DISAPPROVAL.
a. That the (state the approving authority and recommended solution).
APPROVED____________DISAPPROVED____________SEE ME____________
b. That the (approving authority sign the implementing directive(s) (TAB A).
APPROVED____________DISAPPROVED____________SEE ME____________
13. POINT OF CONTACT.
