Fort Bragg leaders say efforts helping to stop suicides
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Nine Fort Bragg soldiers have killed themselves this year. Another five deaths are suspected suicides.
And in the first half of this year, 40 others attempted suicide. Across the Army, 139 troop deaths this year are likely suicides.
Despite numbers showing suicide as a growing problem, Fort Bragg leaders on Thursday said they see positive signs that their prevention efforts are working.
Col. Chad McCree, leader of Fort Bragg's suicide prevention task force, said he has heard dozens of stories of interventions that helped at-risk soldiers. But the task force doesn't keep a tally of its success stories, McRee said, because collecting that data from all over the installation would be a nearly impossible task.
McRee, one of six Fort Bragg representatives who spoke to reporters Thursday, said suicide is a complex issue that has not been solved. The best predictor, they said, is relationship problems.
The news conference was scheduled in advance of next week's Army stand-down to focus on suicide prevention, its second in three years.
Tom McCollum, a Fort Bragg spokesman, said it is important to remember that suicides are a problem across society, not just in the military.
Fort Bragg, McRee said, is making progress. McRee said the stigma that prevents soldiers from seeking help is fading and more soldiers than ever are trained to spot suicidal tendencies.
"If I have one suicide, we failed," McRee said. "What we've got to do is look at the positive outcomes that are happening."
Master Sgt. Eric Brooks shared his story of finally going to a counselor after contemplating suicide in 2004 when he was a staff sergeant. His career progression and his ability to keep a top-secret security clearance, he said, are signs that soldiers won't lose their careers or face punishment by admitting they need help.
Two suicide prevention efforts at Fort Bragg focus on teaching soldiers to intervene when their buddies show signs of distress.
Another key, Garrison Chaplain Ran Dolinger said, is making sure soldiers realize that no matter what they're going through emotionally or mentally, they are not alone.
"No matter how hard you are, you may get to this point," Dolinger said. "It happens to guys stronger than you. It happens to guys better than you. When it happens, go get help."
