JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
Active duty members, military family members, Department of Defense civilians and veterans who are experiencing thoughts of suicide have a program they can turn to at Joint Base San Antonio that can connect them with the resources they need to get help.
The JBSA Suicide Prevention Program provides resources and information to members of the JBSA community and is committed to preventing suicides among servicemembers, their families, DOD civilians and veterans.
September is Suicide Prevention Month in which the Department of Defense brings added awareness to the complex issue of suicide and emphasizes resources and supports that are available. This year’s Suicide Prevention Month theme, “Small Steps Save Lives,” focuses on safety precautions that service members and their families can put into place at home to reduce the risk for suicide.
“Anybody can reach out to me, or this office, and we will provide the resources to a person, a unit or an organization that is needed to assist them with the help that they need,” said Sabine Ward, JBSA Suicide Prevention Program manager.
Ward said she goes to units and organizations within JBSA to educate active-duty members, their families and units on the warning signs and risk factors that may contribute to suicide and provide them with the resources that are available to them, and connect them to get the help that they need in order to get involved so that they can help save lives.
She said relationship and financial issues are the number one causes that can lead to suicide among service members, their families, DOD civilians and veterans.
“There are different factors that contribute to suicide,” Ward said. “It’s not just one thing, it’s layers of different things such as, but not limited to, personal trauma, severe and prolonged stress, transitioning, redeployment, separations, loss and history of alcohol and substance abuse.”
Ward said individuals who have suicidal thoughts may have behave in ways that are unlike them. By recognizing and knowing the warning signs and risk factors, people will be more prepared to reach out to help someone and receive the help that they need in order to help someone.
“Suicide is not an easy conversation to have, so open dialogue is the most important,” Ward said. “We need to be open and talk about it and we can only change things if we acknowledge them. I’m trying to reach as many people as possible, whatever is necessary to give that person that help.”
Ward is a former military spouse whose husband, retired Sgt. 1st Class Clay Ward, a former Army medic, died by suicide on May 16, 2013. Her husband served for 20 years, including two tours of duty in Iraq and did not return the same man as when he left after his second deployment.
“I feel privileged to work in this position and be able to assist others who find themselves in similar situations,” Ward said. “I hope that my story can help others and therefore reduce the number of suicides we are currently facing. It is a disease that spreads throughout our communities and only if we work together, and are aware of the risk and warning signs and have the necessary resources, are we able to make a difference. Small steps save lives. That is the goal.”
Active duty service members, military family members, veterans and DOD civilians seeking help and resources for suicidal behaviors, substance abuse problems or risky behaviors, can contact members of the Army Substance Abuse Program, or ASAP, including Ward at 210-221-2093; Leslie Noel, ASAP prevention coordinator, at 210-221-0326; or Alicia Cline, ASAP risk reduction coordinator, at 210-221-1696.