>
>
>
>
>
>
> 5-8.
Suicide prevention
>
>
a. The POI for IET will include formal instruction on suicide awareness and identification of potentially suicidal
Soldiers. The commanders and orientations will instruct Soldiers on the appropriate actions they should take in the
event a fellow Soldier talks to them about suicide; specifically, Soldiers must recognize the need to immediately notify
the first cadre member available in the chain of command.
>
>
b. Commanders must comply with the provisions of DOD Directive 6490.1 and DOD Instruction 6490.4, before
sending Soldiers for behavioral health evaluations to avoid violations of legal requirements. Commanders must
counsel Soldiers reported to have discussed or alluded to suicide. The commander will ensure Soldiers in
emergency/urgent situations are immediately referred to behavioral health care providers for counseling and evaluation,
and accompanied by an NCO to the appointment until the behavioral health care provider assumes control. An NCO
is required to pick the Soldier up from the behavioral health facilities and to meet with the behavioral health care
provider as a representative of the commander to ensure the Soldier’s condition and diagnosis is clearly communicated
to the unit. Soldiers in this category will not be left alone or unsupervised. Escorts for subsequent appointments are
not required to be an NCO. Counsel individuals in routine (non-emergency) situations, IAW DOD Instruction 6490.4,
section F, prior to referral/meeting with behavioral health professionals.
>
>
c. Behavioral health care providers may return IET Soldiers to their units, once they have determined the Soldier is
no longer an imminent threat to harm themselves or others, following an outpatient evaluation or upon discharge from
the inpatient status.
>
>
(1) The behavioral health care provider may make precautionary recommendations to the commander that the
Soldier be watched for some period of time. The behavioral health care provider must stipulate specific guidance
regarding precautions and must establish an appointment for follow-up as part of the release to the unit.
>
>
(2) TRADOC service schools and major subordinate commands will develop a unit watch program, which will
involve supervised watch of the IET Soldier in the implementation of behavioral health care provider guidance. The
decision to place a Soldier under supervised unit watch will always be made in close coordination and consultation
with behavioral health care providers. In unit watch, the unit/cadre will observe/supervise the IET Soldier pursuant to
the precautionary timeframe and conditions recommended by the behavioral health care provider.
>
>
(a) The commander will cre ate a positive environment for the Soldier, utilizing teamwork and unit cohesion as
the foundation for support for the Soldier on watch. Soldiers will not be marked in any way which identifies him or
her publicly as a Soldier at risk. Soldiers will be treated with dignity and leaders will prohibit behaviors and
comments which serve to stigmatize or ostracize a Soldier.
>