Austin Calls on Service Members to Stop Stigmatizing Mental Health Help
July 24, 2021 | BY Jim Garamone , DOD News
After a briefing from leaders about the spike in suicides among service members in Alaska, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said today he's concerned about the number of suicides there and across the force.
A man stands at a podium.
"I'm deeply concerned about the suicide rates, not only here but across the force," he said during a press conference at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. "One loss by suicide is too many. While we're working hard on this problem, we have a lot more to do."
Addressing the problem must start with reducing the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health issues, he said. "Mental health is health, period," Austin said.
https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2706487/austin-calls-on-service-members-to-stop-stigmatizing-mental-health-help/
