In 2009, Army suicides reached an alarming level, accounting for 20 percent of the total suicides nationally. The Army issued a statement recently acknowledging the growing number of suicides among service members. Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Peter Chiarelli said that in order to work on suicide prevention there is a need to first improve the spiritual health of our soldiers and their families.

SOS, which stands for Save Our Soldiers, is a recent movement within the communities surrounding McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis to do just that. In an area so heavily populated with military, the responsibility doesn't start and end at the gates. While chaplains are often trained to handle situations involving post-traumatic stress disorder and the problems that stem from it, they don't always have access to every soldier.

"As good as these chaplains look, they aren't that good," joked Shawn Schrader, SOS co-founder and Military Ministry representative, while looking around the crowded initial meeting for SOS in Lakewood. "We all need to combat this together."

With so many active duty service members living off base, most local congregations have military in attendance, and whether they know it or not, these service members can be on the front lines of a life and death battle.

Chaplain Roy Butler, from 4/6 Cavalry, started a suicide prevention program at First Baptist Church of Lakewood and suggested that other churches do the same. A program such as this can be used to teach the warning signs of PTSD and shed light on lesser-known areas of the anxiety disorder. For instance, PTSD often can affect any member of a military family - not just the service member.

Col. Kenneth Hegtvedt, I Corps rear chaplain, urged civilian pastors and ministers to contact chaplains and discuss the soldiers they share.

"Information and concerns should be shared. It could help us spot something before it is too late," Hegtvedt said.

Sadly, for every suicide on record, there are at least five unsuccessful attempts by other people. With a problem so widespread, involving more people can only help. Air Force Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Michael Husfelt agreed that getting support systems in place could be the first step in suicide prevention.

"Developing relationships within your worship community can be helpful," Husfelt said. "Especially since those relationships are outside of the military and therefore can be less intimidating."