On September 10, 2009*, over 1200 soldiers, civilians, and family members attended “Heart to Heart,” a special National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) event sponsored by the Fort Benning Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP). The host was Jennifer Holliday, a Grammy winning singer and nationally known celebrity, who provided two suicide prevention training programs and communicated through words and songs the message to seek help if needed.
ASAP is a Commander’s program that emphasizes readiness and personal responsibility, with the goal of providing information and programs to enable Fort Benning soldiers, civilians, and family members to make better choices. “ASAP is involved with NDSD because substance abuse is closely linked to many other adult life issues, such as PTSD, depression, and family violence,” said Yvonne Wilbanks, the Alcohol and Drug Control Officer for ASAP. Wilbanks was thrilled with the success of this year’s NDSD event and was especially proud to have Ms. Holliday as the host. “I first met Ms. Holliday last year at a local church, where I had the opportunity to hear her discuss her struggle with depression and relationships and her desire to help others struggling with these issues,” said Wilbanks. “I believed that Ms. Holliday’s story contained a great message that could reach our Soldiers. I knew her presentation would be an inspiring program for National Depression Screening Day.”
Fort Benning was one of the first military installations to take part in NDSD back in 2002, and has been recognized as the top screening site in the United States on several occasions. The Fort Benning ASAP is honored to be recognized for providing our Soldiers, civilians, and family members the National Depression Screening Program,” said Wilbanks. “NDSD has been a part of our overall strategy to reduce the stigma attached to Soldiers seeking help for mental health issues. ‘Heart to Heart’ took us yet another step further this year.”
The event yielded extensive positive feedback. Ms. Holliday, who was able to interact with the soldiers in attendance, reported to Wilbanks that one Soldier was brought to the event by another Soldier because she was depressed over a relationship breakup. Ms. Holliday went on to say that the Soldier indicated she was considering suicide but the program motivated her to seek help. “It would be very hard to describe the special connection that Jennifer Holliday had with the audience. They were on the edge of their seats, listening to every word she said, feeling empowered and encouraged. She received several standing ovations from the Fort Benning audience.”
All “Heart to Heart” attendees also had the opportunity to complete NDSD self-assessment forms for various mental health disorders, as well as suicide risk. According to Wilbanks, about 800 of the 1200 participants—over 60 percent—completed and returned their forms to ASAP. “Individuals have stated that after completing the NDSD self-assessments that they were motivated to get help,” said Wilbanks. “They especially appreciate the fact that there is a screening for PTSD included in the form.”
Wilbanks added that, because of the effectiveness of these forms, the Fort Bennings ASAP plans to hold even more events where they will continue to provide the written self-assessments.
National Depression Screening Day is a part of Military Pathways®, a DoD-funded program offering service personnel and their families the opportunity to take anonymous mental health and alcohol use self-assessments online, on the phone, and through special events held at installations. To learn more about Military Pathways or to take an anonymous screening online, visit www.MilitaryMentalHealth.org.
*National Depression Screening Day 2009 was officially October 8th. However, bases and installations worldwide can conduct their events whenever it is most convenient. The NDSD office encourages this practice and supports program implementation throughout the year.