Suicide Prevention: It's All About Leadership
Abstract
Over the last decade the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has witnessed a dramatic increase in service member's deaths by suicide. The cause of this increase is the center of much debate within the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense. Underlining the increase in death by suicide is the stress twelve years of constant combat in Iraq and Afghanistan has, and continues to cause service men and women. This paper will examine the causes of suicide as interpreted by the U.S. Army and the preventive measures the U.S. Army is taking to address suicide within its ranks. It will then discuss the theory of suicide from a social-psychological prospective followed by a discussion of how the U.S. Army's Force Generation (ARFORGEN) model and a lack of professional military education in the noncommissioned officer ranks have led to the inadequacies of U.S. Army's small unit leadership in dealing with suicide prevention. The paper will conclude with a recommendation for how the U.S. Army can correct small unit leadership deficiencies, thus better preparing first line leaders on combating suicide.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA589476
Entities
People
- Christopher S. Luekenga
Organizations
- United States Army War College