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Officials urge Airmen to seek help during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cody R. Miller
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and officials want Airmen to know that there is no shame in seeking assistance.

The campaign was created to help promote resources and awareness around the issues of suicide prevention, how you can help others and how to talk about suicide without increasing the risk of harm.

Tyndall’s mental health flight offers assistance and education services for those who may be suffering; suicidal thoughts are often the result of mental health conditions that affect people when they are most vulnerable.

The flight began the Signs of Strength message, which helps re-assure Airmen that seeking help is not a bad thing.

“We want to let our Airmen know that it’s not a bad thing to come forward and admit to having depression or needing emotional support. The theme we want to push for this month is to be there for one another. Be there for your wingmen, help your peers out when they turn to you and don’t hesitate to open up to them in return,” said Maj. Jovanna Gaines, 325th Medical Group Mental Health Flight licensed clinical social worker.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people. In many cases the individuals, friends and families affected by suicide are left in dark, feeling shame or stigma that prevents talking openly about issues dealing with suicide.

Though all of September is dedicated to suicide prevention, Sept. 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day to reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness and connect individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services. It is also important to ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to
address suicide prevention.

“There are also other organizations on base that will help anybody having emotional or stress problems,” Gaines said. “Both the Airman and Family Readiness Center and Chaplain Service offer counseling to individuals who may be overwhelmed from legal, financial or marital problems. The Green Dot initiative is another great suicide prevention program.”

Green Dot prepares organizations to implement a strategy of violence prevention that reduces power-based interpersonal violence, to include domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, child abuse, elder abuse, bullying. Part of their program at Tyndall is counseling that could help Airmen suffering from stress or depression.

“If an Airman becomes stressed enough to where they are having these thoughts, then they need to come seek help,” Gaines said. “This problem is more common than people like to admit and there is no shame in coming forward and admitting you need help.”

For more information on Suicide Prevention Awareness Month visit: http://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Suicide-Prevention-Awareness-Month