CH(CPT) Keith J. Andrews

266 Quartermaster Battalion

ACTION: Prevent Suicide of a Soldier

Using the ACE Card

CONDITION: In an Operational

Environment given one ACE card and one

Soldier.

STANDARD: Prevent Suicide of a Soldier

Using the ACE Card following all three

steps correctly.

Risk Assessment Environmental

Considerations

In FY 2009, 160 Soldiers committed

suicide while on active duty.

In 2008 the suicide rate in the Army

exceeded the age-adjusted rate in the

civilian population.

Verbal Signs Direct Statements

Indirect Statements

Behavioral Signs Sadness and crying

Withdrawal

Change in sleeping

pattern

Drug & alcohol abuse

Neglecting hygiene

Final arrangements

1. Pay Attention

2. Show that you are

Listening

3. Provide Feedback

4. Defer Judgment

5. Respond Appropriately

Have the courage to ask the question, but

stay calm.

Are you thinking of killing yourself?

Question: What are the five elements of active listening?

Answer: 1.Pay Attention2. Show that you are Listening3. Provide Feedback4. Defer Judgment5. Respond Appropriately

Question: What is the question to ask a Soldier who is showing signs of being Suicidal?

Answer: Are you thinking of killing yourself?

Remove Any Means that

could be used for self-

injury.

Calmly control the

situation.

Actively listen to produce

relief.

Chain of Command

A Chaplain

Behavior Health

Primary Care

Provider

PVT Smith was a 22 year-old single, black male who was three months into his first deployment. While surfing MySpace.com, he learned that his deployed girlfriend was involved in another relationship. After that, PVT Smith began to abuse alcohol. One evening, PVT Smith refused to go to the gym with his buddies, which was unusual. That night, PVT Smith shot himself to death.

Can you list the warning signs?

Given that you know PVT Smith, and are aware of his distress, which of the following would be the best response.

1. Wait and see how things go because it’s not a good idea to interfere in another Soldier’s personal matters. He might get angry.

2. If I knew about his girlfriend problems, I would talk to him to see if he was alright. I would ask him if he felt suicidal. If he said yes, I would escort him to see the commander.

3. Because of his alcohol abuse, I would inform the Platoon SGT that something was troubling PVT Smith i.e., he was drinking too much. I would suggest that the Platoon SGT talk to him.

The Importance of Suicide Prevention

Asking the Question Directly

Caring for the At-Risk Soldier

Escorting for the At-Risk Soldier to Receive Help

Question: What does the acronym ACE stand for?

Answer: Ask, Care, Escort

Question: Name four people to whom you can escort

a Soldier who has expressed suicidal thoughts?Answer:

1. Chain of Command

2. A Chaplain

3. Behavior Health

4. Primary Care Provider