1st Sustainment Command (Theater) Public Affairs
Story by Sgt. Jason Adolphson
06.02.2010 CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Soldiers working as chaplain assistants, equal opportunity professionals and other key military specialties geared toward assisting troops in their times of need are getting certified to not only engage potential victims of suicide, but also train others to be the first line of defense against severe mental distress.
One group of 24 Soldiers recently graduated the 5-day "train the trainers" Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, known as ASIST and another class is ongoing here. Some of the Soldiers are stationed at Camp Arifjan, and others came from Iraq, Afghanistan and the Sinai to partake in the course.
Lt. Col. Kevin Weston, chaplain, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, said bringing the training to troops in the 1st TSC area of responsibility is an integral step in combating suicide. "Being in combat and away from
One group of 24 Soldiers recently graduated the 5-day "train the trainers" Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, known as ASIST and another class is ongoing here. Some of the Soldiers are stationed at Camp Arifjan, and others came from Iraq, Afghanistan and the Sinai to partake in the course.
Lt. Col. Kevin Weston, chaplain, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, said bringing the training to troops in the 1st TSC area of responsibility is an integral step in combating suicide. "Being in combat and away from
families is stressful, and the measures we take here will carry on for Soldiers when they redeploy."
This is the first time the 5-day course has been brought to troops while serving in combat, retired Col. Joe F. Johnston, an ASIST team leader, said of the program that is practiced throughout the world. The military initiative comes after more troop suicides were reported last year than the total number of combat-related deaths of U.S. troops in Afghanistan or Iraq.
The ASIST training is intended to complement the Army's approved "Ask, Care, Escort" or ACE Suicide Prevention training currently available to all Soldiers.
"ACE is more about trying to get a lot of eyes and ears out there to see if suicide is the issue and ASIST can take the next step," Johnston said. "The hands-on, experience based training helps [trainers approach those with suicidal ideation in a way] that helps them to choose life, and acknowledge the decision as their own."
The retired Air Force chaplain said he is honored to be part of the effort and hopes it helps the Army to address issues and save lives. "I first had this training when I was on active-duty and walked out saying, 'Where has this training been all my life?' It has since helped me to address Soldiers contemplating suicide in a well-prepared, eloquent manner."
This is the first time the 5-day course has been brought to troops while serving in combat, retired Col. Joe F. Johnston, an ASIST team leader, said of the program that is practiced throughout the world. The military initiative comes after more troop suicides were reported last year than the total number of combat-related deaths of U.S. troops in Afghanistan or Iraq.
The ASIST training is intended to complement the Army's approved "Ask, Care, Escort" or ACE Suicide Prevention training currently available to all Soldiers.
"ACE is more about trying to get a lot of eyes and ears out there to see if suicide is the issue and ASIST can take the next step," Johnston said. "The hands-on, experience based training helps [trainers approach those with suicidal ideation in a way] that helps them to choose life, and acknowledge the decision as their own."
The retired Air Force chaplain said he is honored to be part of the effort and hopes it helps the Army to address issues and save lives. "I first had this training when I was on active-duty and walked out saying, 'Where has this training been all my life?' It has since helped me to address Soldiers contemplating suicide in a well-prepared, eloquent manner."
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