Hope, awareness keys to suicide prevention
by Staff Sgt. Vann Miller
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
10/15/2004 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Problems come unexpectedly, and things like deployments and family troubles can be big stressors for many servicemembers. But one thing care providers want to get across is that suicide is not the right answer.
More than 40 Airmen Air Force-wide have committed suicide this year, and though leaders have started programs to help identify Airmen in distress, officials said even one loss is one too many.
There are many people who have misconceptions about suicide, said Capt. (Dr.) Lisa Blackman, 379th Expeditionary Medical Group chief of life skills at a forward-deployed location.
“Interestingly, suicide rates do not go up during the holiday season,” she said. “In fact, they go down.”
Though people report being subjected to an increase in stress during the holidays, people are less likely to express suicidal behavior because they generally have more contact with others, she said. Also, suicidal thoughts are not as uncommon or alarming as some people may believe.
“About 50 percent of people will have suicidal thoughts at one time in their life,” Dr. Blackman said. “Suicidal thoughts are part of being human.”
She said there is an increased concern when an individual begins to plan to go through with the idea of suicide, and this is when outside intervention is most important.
So, what are signs leaders and co-workers should look for in their Airmen? While there is rarely a single gauge that can highlight a person at risk, officials said there are some things that people can look for. These indicators include:
-- Marital or relationship problems.
-- Major life transitions such as separations or retirement.
-- Pending legal or administrative action.
-- Academic or other life failures.
-- Serious medical or psychological problems.
-- Financial problems.
-- Extreme mood swings.
-- Withdrawal from friends, family or social activities.
-- Preoccupation with death or dying.
-- Increased alcohol use or abuse.
-- Appearing distracted at work or poor work performance.
-- Feelings of being trapped, hopelessness.
-- No reason for living or no purpose.
Some of the assistance programs offered to Airmen, whether deployed or at their home station, come from the base chapel or the life-skills clinic.
“The objective is to help a person see that there is hope,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Charles Peters, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing chaplain. “I believe that if a person has hope, there is a good chance the person will not follow through (with the suicide).”
Chaplains offer confidentiality if Airmen need to talk without fear of reprisal. This offers comfort to those needing to talk, Chaplain Peters said.
“Confidentiality is taken seriously within the clergy,” he said. “A chaplain could be relieved of duty for breaking this confidence.”
Chaplains at the base chapel may be bound with confidentiality and have training in counseling, but they are just part of the equation in caring for the mental state of Airmen experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts.
There is a certain level of confidentiality that exists in the life-skills clinic, also.
When people come to the clinic on their own, “they can expect to have their privacy of information respected by a mental-health care provider,” Captain Blackman said. “The information that a health-care provider is required to report involves imminent danger to self or others, child abuse or family violence cases, criminal activity, drug and alcohol abuse or criminal activity.”
Ultimately, treatment is the goal, whether a person visits with the base chaplain or the life-skills clinic, Chaplain Peters said.
Dr. Blackman said she believes her job is to help people come up with a plan that helps them manage their stress and prevent depression.
“What we are going to sit down and look for is a plan to make you better,” Dr. Blackman said. “There is always something out there to help someone reconnect to life.”
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