WEBVTT 00:01.359 --> 00:04.015 ^- Hi, I'm Command Sergeant Major Rich Elgan. 00:04.015 --> 00:05.262 ^I'm the State Sergeant Major 00:05.262 --> 00:07.208 ^for the Idaho Army National Guard, 00:07.208 --> 00:10.052 ^and today I'm glad to talk to you a little bit about 00:10.052 --> 00:12.802 ^resiliency and suicide awareness. 00:13.539 --> 00:17.706 The old army slogan of an army of one no longer applies. 00:17.730 --> 00:20.090 This is especially true in the National Guard. 00:20.090 --> 00:22.968 The reality of if is we're never alone 00:22.968 --> 00:24.916 and we don't have to do anything alone. 00:24.916 --> 00:27.600 We train together, we fight together, 00:27.600 --> 00:30.322 and we get through our problems together. 00:30.322 --> 00:32.066 We rely on each other. 00:32.066 --> 00:35.973 When we come to drill we use terms such as battle buddy 00:35.973 --> 00:39.313 when referencing our soldiers and our friends 00:39.313 --> 00:41.042 on our left and right. 00:41.042 --> 00:43.348 It's important to realize that all of us 00:43.348 --> 00:46.353 are dealing with something every day of our lives 00:46.353 --> 00:48.910 as we get through our issues and challenges 00:48.910 --> 00:50.327 that confront us. 00:50.429 --> 00:52.655 It's important to reach out to our battle buddies 00:52.655 --> 00:54.971 and understand that everybody standing 00:54.971 --> 00:57.022 on our left and right in formation 00:57.022 --> 01:00.268 is facing some sort of challenge and obstacle 01:00.268 --> 01:01.953 to overcome in their life. 01:01.953 --> 01:04.746 This could be something like moving into a new house, 01:04.746 --> 01:07.913 starting a new job, changes at school. 01:08.208 --> 01:09.958 These all add stress. 01:10.101 --> 01:12.424 Sometimes we encounter things in life 01:12.424 --> 01:14.032 that seem insurmountable. 01:14.032 --> 01:16.699 Significant losses such as jobs, 01:16.701 --> 01:19.201 family members, relationships. 01:19.698 --> 01:21.796 When we go through these types of situations, 01:21.796 --> 01:23.520 sometimes we feel alone, 01:23.520 --> 01:26.985 nobody cares and that there's nobody there to help us. 01:26.985 --> 01:29.494 It's important for us to realize and be in touch 01:29.494 --> 01:31.803 with our battle buddies on these issues, 01:31.803 --> 01:34.482 and understand when they're going through their problems 01:34.482 --> 01:37.619 to reach out to them, ask 'em how they're feeling, 01:37.619 --> 01:40.731 ask 'em how they're doing, ask 'em how their job is, 01:40.731 --> 01:42.398 how their family is. 01:42.703 --> 01:44.811 It's important to care for each other 01:44.811 --> 01:47.402 and help us get through these situations. 01:47.402 --> 01:49.829 We may not have all the answers on our own, 01:49.829 --> 01:52.095 but when we find out our comrades 01:52.095 --> 01:53.718 are facing these challenges, 01:53.718 --> 01:55.986 we can get 'em on the path that they need 01:55.986 --> 01:58.146 through behavior health teams 01:58.146 --> 02:02.313 that are there for us 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 02:03.081 --> 02:04.677 We need to understand, also, 02:04.677 --> 02:06.811 that no solider has ever been disciplined, 02:06.811 --> 02:09.772 reduced in rank, or faced any problems 02:09.772 --> 02:11.983 because they've simply asked for help. 02:11.983 --> 02:13.949 We can get them the tools they need 02:13.949 --> 02:15.719 to get their lives back together, 02:15.719 --> 02:17.781 overcome the challenges they're facing 02:17.781 --> 02:19.136 and get back to contributing 02:19.136 --> 02:21.893 to their team and their community. 02:21.893 --> 02:24.726 The behavior health team is there. 02:24.811 --> 02:28.760 The behavior health crisis support and suicide hotline 02:28.760 --> 02:31.936 is there for any solider to call at any time, 02:31.936 --> 02:35.029 as well as any family members, friends, 02:35.029 --> 02:36.838 or other members in the community 02:36.838 --> 02:40.333 is there to reach out, give them the tools they need, 02:40.333 --> 02:42.717 help them get back on their way. 02:42.717 --> 02:45.311 We all play a role in suicide prevention. 02:45.311 --> 02:47.204 Many of us have already played a role. 02:47.204 --> 02:49.622 Some of us, without even realizing it, 02:49.622 --> 02:51.603 simply by asking how people are doing 02:51.603 --> 02:53.292 and following up on them, 02:53.292 --> 02:55.401 and keeping them aware of these tools 02:55.401 --> 02:56.877 that are out there to 'em. 02:56.877 --> 02:59.382 Thanks for all the help that you've done so far. 02:59.382 --> 03:03.382 Keep up the good work and I'll see you at drill.