1 00:00:05,714 --> 00:00:06,006 2 00:00:06,006 --> 00:00:08,925 In our lives, we all face adversity, we all struggle. 3 00:00:09,300 --> 00:00:11,761 And there are times when we need the support of others to get us through. 4 00:00:12,470 --> 00:00:16,808 Sometimes pain can be profound, yet entirely unapparent to the outside world. 5 00:00:17,392 --> 00:00:21,521 Mental health is often a silent struggle that can make recognizing it 6 00:00:21,521 --> 00:00:24,899 and asking for help all the more difficult, especially 7 00:00:25,275 --> 00:00:28,153 when those in need feel that they're a burden to someone else. 8 00:00:28,653 --> 00:00:31,281 As depression, isolation and feelings of hopelessness go 9 00:00:31,281 --> 00:00:33,616 unaddressed, they can feel overwhelming, unfixable and 10 00:00:34,701 --> 00:00:36,995 can lead to thoughts of suicide. 11 00:00:36,995 --> 00:00:39,080 Suicide is not a new or exclusive problem. 12 00:00:39,330 --> 00:00:43,209 Far too many of us have been impacted by it in our communities, 13 00:00:43,460 --> 00:00:47,464 among our friends and neighbors, in our own families, and even here at DCMA. 14 00:00:47,839 --> 00:00:50,717 It's not easy to talk about suffering from mental 15 00:00:50,717 --> 00:00:53,219 health, let alone the subject of suicide. 16 00:00:53,928 --> 00:00:57,640 But doing so gets us one step closer to having the conversation 17 00:00:57,932 --> 00:01:01,603 and making the prospect of asking for help less difficult. 18 00:01:02,437 --> 00:01:04,814 There are people on our teams struggling right now. 19 00:01:05,273 --> 00:01:08,610 We need them to know they are not alone, and that there are people 20 00:01:08,610 --> 00:01:10,528 and resources ready to help. 21 00:01:10,528 --> 00:01:13,740 Picking up the phone and dialing 988 connects directly 22 00:01:13,740 --> 00:01:15,992 to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 23 00:01:15,992 --> 00:01:18,661 For someone at risk, a single call may save a life. 24 00:01:19,204 --> 00:01:23,124 The DCMA Cares Council has a Get Help page that connects civilians, 25 00:01:23,124 --> 00:01:27,045 veterans and service members to a variety of mental health resources. 26 00:01:27,378 --> 00:01:29,297 But just as importantly, never forget 27 00:01:29,297 --> 00:01:31,883 that we all have an obligation to look out for each other. 28 00:01:32,383 --> 00:01:34,719 Check in. Talk to your teammates. 29 00:01:35,261 --> 00:01:37,806 The better you know someone, the more likely 30 00:01:37,806 --> 00:01:40,767 you are to recognize when something's not right. 31 00:01:41,476 --> 00:01:43,812 This is National Suicide Prevention Week. 32 00:01:44,646 --> 00:01:47,232 We are grateful to our DCMA family members 33 00:01:47,565 --> 00:01:51,277 who courageously came forward to share their personal experiences with suicide. 34 00:01:51,861 --> 00:01:55,240 Their videos will be highlighted on our website throughout the week. 35 00:01:55,698 --> 00:01:57,033 We hope their stories will help 36 00:01:57,033 --> 00:01:59,953 others heal and eliminate obstacles to getting help. 37 00:02:00,829 --> 00:02:04,624 We are always stronger together than we ever are as individuals, 38 00:02:04,958 --> 00:02:07,335 and that's especially true when it comes to mental health. 39 00:02:07,794 --> 00:02:10,004 No one has to go through that alone. 40 00:02:10,004 --> 00:02:13,383 Awareness, prevention and intervention 41 00:02:13,383 --> 00:02:16,845 are all tools we can use to help ourselves and others. 42 00:02:17,595 --> 00:02:20,098 But it's me. It's me. 43 00:02:20,098 --> 00:02:22,684 It's me and you must put them to use 44 00:02:23,017 --> 00:02:26,437 for ourselves, for each other, and for all of us. 45 00:02:28,314 --> 00:02:30,400 Hello, I'm Crystal Craddock. 46 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:33,862 I'm a human resources specialist with the Total Force Directorate 47 00:02:34,154 --> 00:02:35,905 and a member of the CARES Council. 48 00:02:35,905 --> 00:02:40,410 As work-life program coordinator, one of my responsibilities 49 00:02:40,410 --> 00:02:43,454 is to provide guidance and resources to our workforce 50 00:02:43,454 --> 00:02:47,125 in order to help them maintain a healthy work-life balance. 51 00:02:47,792 --> 00:02:52,839 One of DCMA's greatest tools is the Get Help web page on the public website. 52 00:02:53,298 --> 00:02:58,469 There, you can find contact information for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 53 00:02:58,845 --> 00:03:02,724 the Veterans Crisis Line, the Employee Assistance Program, 54 00:03:02,974 --> 00:03:06,352 or EAP, and many other resources. 55 00:03:06,352 --> 00:03:11,482 DCMA employees can also quickly access this information by clicking on the Get 56 00:03:11,482 --> 00:03:16,487 Help ribbon icon on their desktops, work phones and tablets. 57 00:03:16,487 --> 00:03:22,118 Please, do not be afraid to reach out for help if you or someone you know needs it. 58 00:03:22,493 --> 00:03:26,497 Remember, we are stronger together.