Press release - military suicides

[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.

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: