Intervention and Preventing Suicide

Week of August 18, 2008

Intervention is critical, says Maj. (Dr.) David Reynolds, chief of clinical health psychology at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, because it can help change the perception of a person contemplating suicide who thinks of taking his life as a long-term solution to what may be only a short-term problem. The vast majority of people do not commit suicide because they want to kill themselves, he says, but as a way to end the torment of not being able to cope with their problem. Common problems include separation, disabling physical conditions, alcohol abuse, feared legal repercussions, emotional rejection or any overwhelming situation people feel they cannot escape from. For more information about suicide prevention, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website, the Army Behavioral Health website and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

More information and resources on PTSD.

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