1 00:00:03,240 --> 00:00:05,170 Hello , I'm Lloyd Austin , the 2 00:00:05,170 --> 00:00:08,990 Secretary of Defense september is 3 00:00:08,990 --> 00:00:11,590 suicide prevention month . And I'd like 4 00:00:11,590 --> 00:00:14,440 to talk to you about this serious an 5 00:00:14,440 --> 00:00:17,550 urgent issue . When it comes to the 6 00:00:17,550 --> 00:00:19,630 overall health and readiness of our 7 00:00:19,630 --> 00:00:23,270 force , we often focus on physical well 8 00:00:23,270 --> 00:00:26,700 being . But while suicide prevention 9 00:00:26,710 --> 00:00:30,280 isn't just a mental health issue , we 10 00:00:30,280 --> 00:00:32,660 need to tackle mental health challenges 11 00:00:33,540 --> 00:00:35,960 and the everyday pressures and burdens 12 00:00:35,970 --> 00:00:39,530 that face our people , Mental 13 00:00:39,530 --> 00:00:43,050 health is health period . 14 00:00:44,940 --> 00:00:46,940 We've got to treat all wounds , the 15 00:00:46,940 --> 00:00:49,107 ones that we can see and the ones that 16 00:00:49,107 --> 00:00:52,780 we can't tragically , we continue to 17 00:00:52,780 --> 00:00:54,891 lose brave men and women to suicide . 18 00:00:56,140 --> 00:00:59,360 one is too many . I take these losses 19 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:03,020 seriously and personally it's suicide 20 00:01:03,020 --> 00:01:06,710 creates waves of pain and grief and 21 00:01:06,710 --> 00:01:09,700 confusion . We mourn those that we've 22 00:01:09,700 --> 00:01:11,644 lost and we hope that we can honor 23 00:01:11,644 --> 00:01:14,200 their memory by redoubling our efforts 24 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:17,950 to provide accessible , effective care 25 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:21,060 and to get resources to those in need 26 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:24,150 and to prevent future tragedies . 27 00:01:25,540 --> 00:01:27,890 So here are a few things that everyone 28 00:01:27,890 --> 00:01:30,250 can do to help keep themselves healthy 29 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:32,473 and to help their fellow service 30 00:01:32,473 --> 00:01:35,820 members First use our 31 00:01:35,820 --> 00:01:38,560 24/7 confidential support resources . 32 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:42,062 Please reach out through military . One 33 00:01:42,062 --> 00:01:44,490 source for non crisis help such as 34 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:46,942 relationship and financial challenges . 35 00:01:48,540 --> 00:01:50,240 If you or someone you know is 36 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:53,040 experiencing suicidal thoughts . Please 37 00:01:53,040 --> 00:01:55,170 call the veterans and military crisis 38 00:01:55,170 --> 00:01:58,860 line . There's help out there 39 00:02:00,340 --> 00:02:03,180 for service members for veterans and 40 00:02:03,180 --> 00:02:06,360 their families and we want you to get 41 00:02:06,370 --> 00:02:08,860 all the help that you need and deserve . 42 00:02:10,340 --> 00:02:12,740 And if you're in a leadership role . I 43 00:02:12,740 --> 00:02:14,740 want to ask that you please promote 44 00:02:14,740 --> 00:02:16,907 these vital resources whenever you can 45 00:02:18,740 --> 00:02:22,040 second safely store your 46 00:02:22,040 --> 00:02:25,600 firearms and medications in life's 47 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:27,900 difficult moments . Everyone needs time 48 00:02:27,900 --> 00:02:31,000 and space between strong emotions and 49 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:34,590 access to lethal items . You know , 50 00:02:34,590 --> 00:02:36,900 research suggests that easy access to 51 00:02:36,900 --> 00:02:39,620 firearms increases the risk of dying by 52 00:02:39,620 --> 00:02:43,350 suicide By as much as 4 - six times . 53 00:02:45,140 --> 00:02:48,160 So use a cable , lot a trigger lock 54 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:52,700 or a secured firearm safe and take 55 00:02:52,710 --> 00:02:55,120 unused or expired prescription 56 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:57,530 medications back to a military 57 00:02:57,530 --> 00:02:59,697 treatment facility for safe disposal . 58 00:03:01,640 --> 00:03:03,990 These safe storage practices will save 59 00:03:03,990 --> 00:03:07,150 lives and will protect you and your 60 00:03:07,150 --> 00:03:08,317 loved ones at home . 61 00:03:10,940 --> 00:03:13,240 Third , and this is one of the most 62 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:16,220 important things that you can do stay 63 00:03:16,220 --> 00:03:19,970 connected with each other . I know that 64 00:03:19,970 --> 00:03:21,859 these are difficult days for many 65 00:03:21,859 --> 00:03:24,026 people in the force and for many of my 66 00:03:24,026 --> 00:03:25,970 fellow veterans and for the larger 67 00:03:25,970 --> 00:03:28,890 military community and I know that some 68 00:03:28,890 --> 00:03:30,668 of us are finding recent events 69 00:03:30,668 --> 00:03:33,670 especially difficult . We all need 70 00:03:33,670 --> 00:03:36,210 community and connectedness and we're 71 00:03:36,210 --> 00:03:39,440 human after all , and meeting these 72 00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:42,170 basic human needs can can reduce the 73 00:03:42,170 --> 00:03:45,740 likelihood of contemplating or 74 00:03:45,740 --> 00:03:47,860 attempting suicide . 75 00:03:49,940 --> 00:03:53,710 So please seek support from 76 00:03:53,710 --> 00:03:57,590 family , from friends , from a chaplain 77 00:03:57,590 --> 00:04:00,870 or a counselor . You know , reaching 78 00:04:00,870 --> 00:04:03,560 out for help is a sign of strength and 79 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:07,460 resilience and courage . But 80 00:04:07,460 --> 00:04:09,182 unfortunately there is still a 81 00:04:09,182 --> 00:04:11,516 lingering stigma around asking for help . 82 00:04:11,516 --> 00:04:15,470 So all of us have to step up . We 83 00:04:15,470 --> 00:04:17,526 can all be thoughtful listeners . We 84 00:04:17,526 --> 00:04:19,780 can all remind our friends and family 85 00:04:19,780 --> 00:04:22,350 and colleagues that they are not alone . 86 00:04:24,340 --> 00:04:27,300 And we can all do our part to prevent 87 00:04:27,300 --> 00:04:31,030 suicide this month and 88 00:04:31,030 --> 00:04:34,410 every month . And so I ask our entire 89 00:04:34,420 --> 00:04:38,410 military community to connect , to 90 00:04:38,410 --> 00:04:42,360 protect support is within reach . 91 00:04:43,840 --> 00:04:47,240 So thank you very much . Stay safe and 92 00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:47,760 be well .