For
immediate release Press
release
March 9, 2008 (Las Vegas, Nevada)
[Iraq
war] Vet that attempts suicide now teaching awareness and
its prevention to U.S. soldiers.
As a Vet himself, Mr. Dovel, the founder
and president of ISP (International Suicide Prevention), has
developed a new training program specifically tailored toward
soldiers.
Mr. Dovel, having attempted suicide himself
over twenty years ago has since dedicated his life to helping
those that suffer from suicidal thoughts. As seen on, “Good
Morning America” and “20/20”.
The issue confronting the soldiers today
hasn’t changed much since the concept of going off to war was
first conceived thousands of years ago. The soldier leaves
behind those they love and a way of life they want to protect.
For most, nobility, honor, and a sense of true purpose have
driven them to join the fight. But, before becoming soldiers
most are unaware of the commitment that is required to become a
member of a victorious army.
War is an all or nothing proposition
requiring an attitude of extreme focus for those that fight in
them. A soldier is taught that victory will go to the ones that
attain control of their mind, and body. Any thought of
weakness, or hesitation, will result in their death, or that of
a fellow soldier. Soldiers are trained to run into machine guns
firing at them upon the sound of a command to do so by their
commanding officer.
Suicidal thoughts result from suppressing
feelings that can not be expressed, or tolerated in a battle
field environment. Feelings that are seen as a sign of weakness
will result in a soldier being relieved of his position, and
possibly, ending his or, her career. Humiliation, disgrace, and
failure are the threats to those that will not conform to the
standards set forth in the military standards of conduct.
The human mind is a very complex machine
that adapts to the conditions it experiences in order to cope.
Prolonged exposure to harsh weather, noise, smells, and sights,
in direct opposition to what a person has been conditioned to
previously, will change a person’s personality, perceptions, and
current core beliefs. When a person is exposed to extreme
change for prolonged periods of time, especially the kinds
experienced in a war zone create emotional barriers blocking
necessary components crucial for us to exist in this world.
What has been done, can be undone!
So, we must be aware of the fact that even
the most mentally strongest among us, exposed for prolonged
periods of time to harsh experiences, will result in
psychological change. It is also important to note that these
changes are not always readily apparent on the outside. So what
can we do to undo these changes?
ISP (International Suicide Prevention), a
nonprofit organization focused on lowering suicide rates has
developed a new training program specifically for soldiers going
to, and those returning from the battle field. Just as a person
must be prepared to go to war, they must also be prepared to
become civilians again. This new training program is for
soldiers exiting the military, as well as for active duty
personnel that are coming home on leave, and that are fully
expecting to return to a war zone in the near future.
Coining a term used by the military,
“debriefing”, the soldiers are given a new set of conditioning
called “VSS”, in a way that allows them to express emotions that
are prohibitive in war zones. This ISP debriefing, in one hour,
vets, and active duty soldiers are explained their complex
dilemma, and how to overcome it.
Thousands of active U.S. Army troops will
undergo this specialized training this April, 2008 at Fort
Wainwright, Alaska.
Media questions;
How is this training different than any current
training?
Is this a temporary fix, or a permanent solution?
Will troops need a follow up to this training?
Will Vets have access to this training? And, will
they have to pay for it?
What can the civilian population learn from this
information being taught?
This training is being sponsored in part by:
WIT-Services
Sundance Builders
The John La Valle Family
National Crime Scene Cleaning
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
To learn
more about this training, and to request an interview with the
president of ISP please call:
Matthew Dovel
President
ISP (Intl. Suicide Prevention)
1736 E. Charleston Blvd., #301
Las Vegas, NV 89104
702-270-4656, 702-743-4340
president@supportisp.org
http://www.supportisp.org
