More than 10,000 join in suicide prevention run at Fort Lee

News: More than 10,000 join in suicide prevention run at Fort Lee

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Lee

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Story by Stephen Baker Subscribe To This Journalist

Terrance Bell

Students from the Army Logistics University listen as Maj. Gen. Larry D. Wyche, CASCOM and Fort Lee commanding general, gives a speech on suicide prevention and sexual harassment/sexual prevention. A two-mile installation run that included roughly 10,000 participants preceded the speech.

FORT LEE, Va. – More than 10,000 soldiers and military personnel from other service branches participated in a 2-mile run early this morning to kick off Fort Lee’s observance of the Army-wide suicide prevention stand down today.

For the first time in history, nearly all the students from the three major Army schools on post – Quartermaster, Ordnance and Transportation – joined together for a single run along with other Fort Lee-based units and commands.

Combined Arms Support Command and Fort Lee commanding general, Maj. Gen. Larry D. Wyche, addressed soldiers after leading the unprecedented run, calling on soldiers to lend a helping hand to those experiencing personal difficulties, who may be suicide risks. “We have to take care of one another,” he said.

At Fort Lee, the stand down for suicide prevention is also focused on sexual assault and harassment prevention and awareness.

Wyche said a new campaign is being launched here entitled "What Can I Do – Not What I Should Have Done," to address both issues.
In preparation for the stand down, and to continue the reinforcement of suicide and sexual assault prevention measures, pocket cards for Soldiers, prevention posters and local contact phone number stickers were distributed across post.

Training sessions at units throughout Fort Lee today incorporated video presentations, as well as speakers from the Army Substance Abuse Program, Chaplain Corps, Army Community Service, Kenner Army Health Clinic.

A suicide prevention video series produced by the garrison’s public affairs office was also made available at www.lee.army.mil, www.youtube.com/armyfortlee and www.facebook.com/armyfortlee.

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