1 00:00:03,210 --> 00:00:07,070 Ah , life is good . Special 2 00:00:07,070 --> 00:00:08,070 delivery . 3 00:00:36,560 --> 00:00:38,560 Congratulations , Sarge and the new 4 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:40,779 baby , the divorce , and the new 5 00:00:40,779 --> 00:00:41,779 deployment . 6 00:00:48,290 --> 00:00:51,659 I give up . I'm Brigadier General 7 00:00:51,659 --> 00:00:54,009 Leland Blanchard , commanding general 8 00:00:54,009 --> 00:00:56,065 of the District of Columbia National 9 00:00:56,065 --> 00:00:58,176 Guard . We're committed to ending the 10 00:00:58,176 --> 00:01:00,400 silence around suicide . If you're 11 00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:02,729 feeling distressed , hopeless , 12 00:01:03,090 --> 00:01:05,260 thinking about death , or know someone 13 00:01:05,260 --> 00:01:07,870 who may be suicidal , there's many 14 00:01:07,870 --> 00:01:10,139 resources available . The DC National 15 00:01:10,139 --> 00:01:12,620 Guard recognizes seeking help as a sign 16 00:01:12,620 --> 00:01:15,180 of courage and strength . Everyone can 17 00:01:15,180 --> 00:01:17,660 do their part in suicide prevention by 18 00:01:17,660 --> 00:01:19,604 understanding the signs of at-risk 19 00:01:19,604 --> 00:01:21,827 behavior and encouraging and connecting 20 00:01:21,827 --> 00:01:23,882 those in distress with those who can 21 00:01:23,882 --> 00:01:26,019 help . If you think someone may be 22 00:01:26,019 --> 00:01:28,540 contemplating suicide , don't be afraid 23 00:01:28,540 --> 00:01:31,980 to ask them directly , Are you OK ? Are 24 00:01:31,980 --> 00:01:34,139 you contemplating hurting yourself or 25 00:01:34,139 --> 00:01:37,709 taking your own life ? If so , connect 26 00:01:37,709 --> 00:01:39,542 them with the suicide and crisis 27 00:01:39,542 --> 00:01:43,459 lifeline by dialing or texting 988 . 28 00:01:43,750 --> 00:01:46,059 Capital Guardians answer many calls . 29 00:01:46,470 --> 00:01:49,069 The role of battle buddy or wingman is 30 00:01:49,069 --> 00:01:52,089 among them . I charge our leaders , 31 00:01:52,169 --> 00:01:54,730 commanders , senior enlisted leaders 32 00:01:54,730 --> 00:01:57,063 all the way down to privates and airmen . 33 00:01:57,063 --> 00:01:59,290 Know your people and truly function as 34 00:01:59,290 --> 00:02:02,150 a team . Know that suicide is 35 00:02:02,150 --> 00:02:04,470 preventable and that building a culture 36 00:02:04,470 --> 00:02:06,589 of connection where everyone feels 37 00:02:06,589 --> 00:02:08,630 valued and supported is a shared 38 00:02:08,630 --> 00:02:11,509 responsibility . Strong , positive 39 00:02:11,509 --> 00:02:13,630 relationships are a protective factor 40 00:02:13,630 --> 00:02:15,789 against suicide risk , and connecting 41 00:02:15,789 --> 00:02:17,869 with others promotes well-being and 42 00:02:17,869 --> 00:02:19,925 resilience . I urge you to create an 43 00:02:19,925 --> 00:02:22,190 environment where resources are readily 44 00:02:22,190 --> 00:02:24,270 available and emphasize that the 45 00:02:24,270 --> 00:02:26,159 Department of War is committed to 46 00:02:26,159 --> 00:02:28,048 ensuring that soldiers , airmen , 47 00:02:28,048 --> 00:02:30,048 civilians . And family members have 48 00:02:30,048 --> 00:02:32,381 access to the help they need . Remember , 49 00:02:32,381 --> 00:02:34,985 the DC National Guard care Team QR code 50 00:02:34,985 --> 00:02:37,445 is posted at all DC National Guard 51 00:02:37,445 --> 00:02:39,764 locations . I encourage you to scan 52 00:02:39,764 --> 00:02:42,054 this code and save the contact 53 00:02:42,054 --> 00:02:44,475 information . This team is committed to 54 00:02:44,475 --> 00:02:47,514 a no wrong door policy and are here to 55 00:02:47,514 --> 00:02:49,835 support you . The DC National Guard 56 00:02:49,835 --> 00:02:52,910 values every life . Know your available 57 00:02:52,910 --> 00:02:55,132 resources and every one of our soldiers 58 00:02:55,132 --> 00:02:57,466 and airmen are empowered to take action . 59 00:02:57,470 --> 00:03:00,309 And remember , we live here , we work 60 00:03:00,309 --> 00:03:03,220 here , we serve here , always ready , 61 00:03:03,589 --> 00:03:04,179 always there .