ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

An upcoming webinar hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army will highlight the Army’s efforts to reduce harmful behaviors and prevent suicide.

The online event on March 8 is part of AUSA’s Noon Report series. Beginning at noon Eastern, it will feature James Helis, director of the Army Resilience Directorate, and Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Thomas Solhjem, the Army’s chief of chaplains.

Veterans in acute suicidal crisis can receive care at any emergency health care facility at no cost under a new Department of Veterans Affairs policy.

Effective Jan. 17, the new policy provides veterans access to acute care, including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days, according to a news release from the VA. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit. 

Citizen-soldiers should reconceptualize work-life balance, said the first Army Reserve woman to graduate from Ranger School.

“There is no such thing as work and life; it is a continuum,” Lt. Col. Lisa Jaster said Oct. 12 during a Warriors Corner talk at the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2022 Annual Meeting and Exposition. “It’s work-life support.” 

More than 274,000 soldiers serve in the Army Reserve, and 336,000 soldiers serve in the Army National Guard, according to DoD’s 2020 demographics profile. 

Questions about mental health and access to behavioral health providers prompted a frank discussion with Army senior leaders at the Association of the U.S. Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition.

Addressing a standing room-only, town hall-style forum with military families, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth gave her assurance that seeking help is “nothing to be ashamed about,” acknowledging that she has sought counseling during difficult times in her own life.

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.