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If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide,
know that you are not alone. Suicide is a medical emergency and care should be
sought immediately by calling 911. Free, confidential resources are
instantly available through the Military Crisis Line to aid you if you
are in crisis. Call 800-273-8255 and press 1, or chat online now
for 24/7 access to trained counselors who understand what service members and
military families are coping with.
Some service members may face emotional or
psychological concerns such as feelings of anger, isolation, anxiety, or guilt
following a deployment or as a result of coping with the stress of
military life. These reactions, among others, can be common responses to
extraordinary events. For some service members, these feelings may be signs of
more serious concerns,
including depression or posttraumatic stress
disorder. Warriors coping with these concerns may feel like there is no
escape from their symptoms, which may lead to thoughts of
suicide. However, warriors should be assured that tools that encourage
resilience and recovery are available and they work.
How Do I Know if I Am Showing Warning Signs?
Contact a friend, family member, commanding
officer, health professional or the Military Crisis Line immediately if you
are:
·
Thinking about hurting or killing yourself
·
Seeking access to pills, weapons or other means of harming
yourself
·
Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
It is also important to seek out professional
help if you are experiencing any of these signs of concern:
·
Being unable to sleep or oversleeping
·
Withdrawing from friends, family or society
·
Increasing alcohol or drug use
·
Acting recklessly or engaging in risky behavior
·
Experiencing excessive rage, anger or desire for revenge
·
Having feelings of anxiety, agitation or hopelessness
·
Reliving past experiences
·
Experiencing dramatic changes in mood
·
Feeling hopeless
What Tools Can Help Me Cope While I Seek
Treatment?
The most important step in combating thoughts of
suicide is reaching out for professional support through resources like
the Military Crisis Line.
Professional support is critical to recovering to peak performance. In
addition, the following tips can help you on your journey of recovery and
resilience:
·
Consider writing in a journal to express pain, anger, fear or
other emotions
·
Be social. Get together with peers, commanding officers, family,
friends or other members of the community regularly
·
Stay physically fit by eating a
healthy diet and getting sufficient sleep
Who Can I Reach Out to for More Information
and Support?
In addition to trained professionals at
the Military Crisis Line, you can access suicide prevention resources and
links through the Defense Suicide Prevention Office suicide
outreach page and the Defense Centers of Excellence for
Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE)'s suicide prevention page.
You can also access suicide prevention resources within the services:
·
Army
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