ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

The Army’s chief medical officer said he is “actively and aggressively” tackling the suicide rate among soldiers with a range of programs and initiatives aimed at eliminating the stigma of asking for help.

Lt. Gen. R. Scott Dingle, the 45th surgeon general of the Army, said in testimony before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on defense that programs have been implemented at the strategic, operational and tactical levels with the message that “it is OK” to seek professional help.

The Association of the U.S. Army is releasing four new podcast episodes in February, including a podcast focusing on mental fitness and a look at leader development in the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade.

First up in the “Army Matters” series is an interview with retired Lt. Col. Daniel Johnston, who will discuss the intricacies of the brain and mental fitness. An Army physician and researcher, Johnston co-founded BrainSpan, which works to help practitioners, patients and the public build and sustain healthier and more resilient lives.

Improvements are being planned in mental health and suicide prevention screening for separating service members after an investigation by the DoD inspector general discovered the Army and other services weren't following previously enacted federal and Pentagon guidance.

The IG found the services were failing to screen military members before leaving the military. The service members also weren’t provided a promised immediate referral for post-service treatment if they had been receiving mental health counseling or treatment while in the service.

The White House has released a new public health strategy to reduce military and veteran suicides that tries to focus on action rather than awareness. 

The Association of the U.S. Army is supporting a Senate bill requiring DoD to review military suicide prevention programs. 

Sponsored by Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, a retired Iowa Army National Guard lieutenant colonel, the Save Our Servicemembers Act, or S.O.S Act, directs the Pentagon to increase collaboration among the various military offices and programs involved in suicide prevention by determining which programs work the best and improving data collection. 

The National Guard and Army Reserve are stepping up efforts to tackle the most pressing mental health care issues facing their soldiers.