Suicide prevention

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert Hereford
  • 325th Medical Group
Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. --  Thirty-five suicides have been reported in the Air Force this year.

While only a fraction of suicidal Air Force active duty members seek help from the Mental Health Clinic, all of them were seen on a daily basis by friends and co-workers.

Everyone has the responsibility to report unusual behavioral patterns in our co-workers. The most important thing Air Force members can do to prevent suicides is to stay in touch with our co-workers. We can accomplish this by paying particular attention to abnormal behavioral patterns.

If a member is increasingly withdrawn or appears depressed or agitated, ask if everything is okay. Even if the person is very depressed, they are unlikely going to say they are going to kill themselves, so it is very important to ask if they are considering ending their own life. This can be a difficult question, but one of great importance. Include members who generally keep to themselves during out-of-office gatherings. Make efforts to ensure no one in your shop feels alienated or isolated.

If you notice that one of your wingmen has lost interest in activities that he or she once enjoyed, or if they offer you valuables, these may be warning signs that the individual is considering suicide. Changes in appetite or sleeping patterns may be indicators of depression. Another sign of depression is an increase in alcohol or drug consumption. Alcohol and drugs will increase the likelihood of an individual to make impulsive decisions.

If confided in by an individual who is suicidal, be supportive and listen to what they are telling you. Do not try to convince them they are not suicidal. Ensure someone in their chain-of-command, preferably their first sergeant or commander, is made aware of the situation immediately.

Most importantly, do not leave a suicidal individual alone for any reason. All means of self-harm must be removed from the individual's proximity. If you must leave the individual without supervision, call someone else to come and stay with them until they can be safely transported to the local emergency department. An ambulance is the most appropriate choice for transport of suicidal individuals. The Security Forces law enforcement desk can also put you in contact with the on-call mental health provider.

As members of the armed forces of the United States of America, we have been given the responsibility of defending our nation. However, the responsibility to take care of our Air Force family is not to be overlooked. We see our co-workers on a daily basis and should consider ourselves the first line of defense in the battle to prevent Air Force suicides. The well-being of Air Force members and civilians is crucial to the success of our mission. It is imperative that we look out for each other.

For additional information, call the mental health clinic at 283-7511.