Fort Buchanan strengthens readiness through ‘A Moment for Life’ suicide prevention event
FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico — Service members, Department of the Army civilians, families and community members gathered at the Fort Buchanan Community Club Sept. 18 for “A Moment for Life,” a Suicide Prevention Month event designed to strengthen readiness by promoting connection, increasing awareness and connecting people with resources that support their well-being.
Built around “Connect, Reflect and Restore,” the event brought together the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan Suicide Prevention Program, Puerto Rico National Guard Suicide Prevention Program, chaplains and Fort Buchanan Fitness Facility. Participants took part in stretching and spiritual sessions and received information about resources supporting physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
“The intent is for everyone to have a safe space to relax and create awareness,” said Ashley Hines, Fort Buchanan Army Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention Program manager. “We’re trying to take a spiritual, physical and mental approach to create awareness and support our suicide prevention campaign.”
For Sgt. Sandor Leitner, a Puerto Rico National Guard Soldier with six years of service and a member of the 65th Infantry Regiment, his role as his unit’s suicide intervention officer makes prevention more than an annual training requirement.
“For me, it is very important because the suicide of a Soldier impacts more than the unit; it impacts thousands of people, whether they are fellow Soldiers, family members or coworkers,” Leitner said. “It impacts morale.”
Staff Sgt. Heriberto José Sotobal, a Puerto Rico National Guard musician assigned to the 248th Army Band, said prevention requires Soldiers to look beyond themselves.
“This type of training is very important because it teaches you to look out for others,” Sotobal said. “You have to be aware of the situations other people may be going through and pay attention to changes in behavior so you can help people who may need help, even when they are not directly asking for it.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Everett B. Sikes, Fort Buchanan’s senior enlisted advisor, reinforced the importance of staying connected.
“You have to take care of yourself, but you should also reach out to the guy or gal on your left or your right — your friends, your family, your coworkers — because you have no idea what they’ve got going on,” Sikes said.
Lt. Col. Eric Littlejohn said suicide prevention is a shared responsibility.
“A safer tomorrow starts with all of us,” Littlejohn said. “It’s a collective effort to care for one another and take care of the people to your left and right, whether or not they’re in uniform. We all have hidden wounds.”
Anyone experiencing a suicidal or mental health crisis can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For more information about Fort Buchanan’s Suicide Prevention Program, contact Hines at 787-707-3125 or mailto:ashley.i.hines.civ@army.mil.
With an annual budget exceeding $500 million, Fort Buchanan supports about 15,000 active-duty personnel, Army Reserve Soldiers, Puerto Rico National Guard members, Marine Corps Reserve members and Navy Reserve personnel. As the Army’s home in the Caribbean, the installation provides infrastructure and services that enable military forces to train, mobilize and deploy worldwide.
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