WEBVTT 00:06.006 --> 00:08.925 In our lives, we all face adversity, we all struggle. 00:09.300 --> 00:11.761 And there are times when we need the support of others to get us through. 00:12.470 --> 00:16.808 Sometimes pain can be profound, yet entirely unapparent to the outside world. 00:17.392 --> 00:21.521 Mental health is often a silent struggle that can make recognizing it 00:21.521 --> 00:24.899 and asking for help all the more difficult, especially 00:25.275 --> 00:28.153 when those in need feel that they're a burden to someone else. 00:28.653 --> 00:31.281 As depression, isolation and feelings of hopelessness go 00:31.281 --> 00:33.616 unaddressed, they can feel overwhelming, unfixable and 00:34.701 --> 00:36.995 can lead to thoughts of suicide. 00:36.995 --> 00:39.080 Suicide is not a new or exclusive problem. 00:39.330 --> 00:43.209 Far too many of us have been impacted by it in our communities, 00:43.460 --> 00:47.464 among our friends and neighbors, in our own families, and even here at DCMA. 00:47.839 --> 00:50.717 It's not easy to talk about suffering from mental 00:50.717 --> 00:53.219 health, let alone the subject of suicide. 00:53.928 --> 00:57.640 But doing so gets us one step closer to having the conversation 00:57.932 --> 01:01.603 and making the prospect of asking for help less difficult. 01:02.437 --> 01:04.814 There are people on our teams struggling right now. 01:05.273 --> 01:08.610 We need them to know they are not alone, and that there are people 01:08.610 --> 01:10.528 and resources ready to help. 01:10.528 --> 01:13.740 Picking up the phone and dialing 988 connects directly 01:13.740 --> 01:15.992 to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 01:15.992 --> 01:18.661 For someone at risk, a single call may save a life. 01:19.204 --> 01:23.124 The DCMA Cares Council has a Get Help page that connects civilians, 01:23.124 --> 01:27.045 veterans and service members to a variety of mental health resources. 01:27.378 --> 01:29.297 But just as importantly, never forget 01:29.297 --> 01:31.883 that we all have an obligation to look out for each other. 01:32.383 --> 01:34.719 Check in. Talk to your teammates. 01:35.261 --> 01:37.806 The better you know someone, the more likely 01:37.806 --> 01:40.767 you are to recognize when something's not right. 01:41.476 --> 01:43.812 This is National Suicide Prevention Week. 01:44.646 --> 01:47.232 We are grateful to our DCMA family members 01:47.565 --> 01:51.277 who courageously came forward to share their personal experiences with suicide. 01:51.861 --> 01:55.240 Their videos will be highlighted on our website throughout the week. 01:55.698 --> 01:57.033 We hope their stories will help 01:57.033 --> 01:59.953 others heal and eliminate obstacles to getting help. 02:00.829 --> 02:04.624 We are always stronger together than we ever are as individuals, 02:04.958 --> 02:07.335 and that's especially true when it comes to mental health. 02:07.794 --> 02:10.004 No one has to go through that alone. 02:10.004 --> 02:13.383 Awareness, prevention and intervention 02:13.383 --> 02:16.845 are all tools we can use to help ourselves and others. 02:17.595 --> 02:20.098 But it's me. It's me. 02:20.098 --> 02:22.684 It's me and you must put them to use 02:23.017 --> 02:26.437 for ourselves, for each other, and for all of us. 02:28.314 --> 02:30.400 Hello, I'm Crystal Craddock. 02:30.400 --> 02:33.862 I'm a human resources specialist with the Total Force Directorate 02:34.154 --> 02:35.905 and a member of the CARES Council. 02:35.905 --> 02:40.410 As work-life program coordinator, one of my responsibilities 02:40.410 --> 02:43.454 is to provide guidance and resources to our workforce 02:43.454 --> 02:47.125 in order to help them maintain a healthy work-life balance. 02:47.792 --> 02:52.839 One of DCMA's greatest tools is the Get Help web page on the public website. 02:53.298 --> 02:58.469 There, you can find contact information for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 02:58.845 --> 03:02.724 the Veterans Crisis Line, the Employee Assistance Program, 03:02.974 --> 03:06.352 or EAP, and many other resources. 03:06.352 --> 03:11.482 DCMA employees can also quickly access this information by clicking on the Get 03:11.482 --> 03:16.487 Help ribbon icon on their desktops, work phones and tablets. 03:16.487 --> 03:22.118 Please, do not be afraid to reach out for help if you or someone you know needs it. 03:22.493 --> 03:26.497 Remember, we are stronger together.