Mental health must be approached as any other health issue is, “with compassion and professionalism and resources,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said this weekend. “If you’re hurting, there are resources available.”
Austin made the remarks while visiting Alaska, which has especially high number of service member suicides. The Army has spent more than $200 million in Alaska in recent years to combat suicide, according to USA Today.
“One loss by suicide is too many, and while we’re working hard on this problem, we have a lot more to do,” Austin said. “It has to start with removing the stigma attached to mental health issues.”
DOD photo by Chad J. McNeeley
