Chaplain Robert Lyons hopes the annual focus on Suicide Prevention Week doesn’t result in a robotic approach in simply going down a checklist of suicide signs.

“A human relationship is a power of great strength. The key is to connect with a person,” said Lyons, deputy installation chaplain.

Suicide Prevention Week is Sept. 5-11, and September is Suicide Prevention Month.

“Human relationships save lives. If it’s just learning the signs, we become too clinical,” he said. “You have to build relationships showing the connection. I know that you are vulnerable, and I show you that I am vulnerable.”

One of the plans for the month is to show the film “To Save a Life.” Details of the showing are being finalized.

The film is about Jake, a popular high school athlete, whose childhood friend, Roger, commits suicide. Jake wonders if he could have done anything to prevent Roger’s death. He, then, decides to find someone like Roger to see if he can make a difference in that person’s life and possibly prevent another suicide.

Chaplain Donald Stover said films such as this that illustrate that human connection in a powerful way.

Sometimes, people may exhibit the signs, but they may not want to admit they are considering harming themselves because of the stigma related to mental illness.

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“Part of the purpose is to let people know it’s o.k. to come forward and talk if they have concerns,” said Stover.

Lyons said these personal relationships help people build the resiliency they need when facing life’s challenges.

“We want to prevent suicide by building resiliency,” he said. “We want it to never emerge as an option. We want to build people up. Faith is important, Army values are important, and having a strong support system and relationships are important. There are lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of other choices besides suicide.”

Until that time, however, there are Army programs in place to help people considering ending their lives.

The chaplains said Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training will be offered to “gatekeepers” this month.

Lyons said gatekeepers are employees in the offices of Judge Advocate General, Inspector General or Army Community Service. They are also military police, chaplains’ assistants and family readiness group leaders.Lyons said people in these groups are seeing people who may already have several problems such as a legal one if dealing with the JAG or MPs. These may compound feelings of hopelessness and helplessness which lead to thoughts of suicide.

“It may be a symptom of what’s already happening,” he said.

To learn more about suicide prevention, visit www. militaryonesource.com or call the suicide prevention hotline at (800) 273-8255.