Make friends, you never know whose life you are saving.

September is the month of Suicide Prevention in the Army. Being in the military can be very stressful and demanding, and most military personnel and their families are at a high risk for depression. I totally get that! I think this month everyone should learn the signs and symptoms of depression. Soldiers and especially families are highly reluctant to ask for help when they are depressed because they do not want to be seen as weak. But untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide, so those who are depressed and do not seek help are at risk for suicide. So what can be done?

I think it is important for military spouses to make friends and be there for them, build up those relationships, because some of them might not have the same resources or strong will as you. If you do become depressed or feeling bad, call the doctor, it is a reason maybe physical such as a hormone imbalance or mental (your solider just deployed, or you had a change in the family). See a therapist. Depression needs to be treated.

So my advice to you is take care of yourself first. Make sure that you get help when you need it. Also make sure that you get to know your "battle buddies" who you are serving with whether you are the one left behind in a deployment or you are deployed. Just say more than hello, open up to others, and they will open up to you. I believe you should always make yourself available to others.

Do not let any person be an island, include others in conversations and activities. Reach out. And when someone does have a serious problem or becomes depressed, make sure that they get help.