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Comprehensive approach to suicide prevention

  • Published
  • By Mark Aaron Locken
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --  Numbers don’t always tell the whole story, but they can lend gravity to an important health-related issue. The Centers for Disease Control defines epidemic as a disease attack rate in excess of 15 cases per 100,000 people for two consecutive weeks.

“Last year, 62 active duty Airmen took their lives, a rate of 19 per 100,000,” Lt. Gen. Mark Ediger, Air Force surgeon general, said to the House Armed Services Committee members, Oct. 8, 2016.

Air Force officials have taken action to fight what could be considered an epidemic. This action includes the development of Comprehensive Airman Fitness, a program designed to promote a culture focused on a lifestyle encompassing positive mental, physical, social and spiritual aspects of life for Air Force members and their families. These four domains include Airmen being on the lookout for signs of impending suicide.

“We want our Airmen and family members to be fit in all aspects of their lives: socially, mentally, physically and spiritually,” said Donna Huffman, Air Education and Training Command community support program manager. “CAF creates and sustains a community that gives individuals balance and a sense of belonging. It is the cornerstone for resilience development.”

“I am working on several things to help people understand that CAF is not a tangible ‘thing,’ but a culture,” she said. “We need to strengthen access to appropriate resources across the Air Force and teach our Airmen positive skills they can use when faced with adversity. Learned skills help in choosing positive over negative behaviors.”

Lt. Col. Kelly Czeiszperger, AETC Office of the Command Surgeon mental health branch chief, also emphasized the role of communities in suicide prevention.

“Whether it is the larger Air Force community, base communities, or flights, Airmen have to take care of one another,” she said. “Airmen have to feel comfortable reaching out for help. The most important aspect of suicide prevention is getting people to talk and that takes trust. It begins with commanders creating a climate which fosters trust.”

“Training designed to assist front-line supervisors, the people who are in contact with Airmen every day, will be incorporated into the lesson plans at Airman Leadership School later this year,” she said.

The training helps supervisors assess the struggles of Airmen, ask tough questions and gets Airmen in contact with the appropriate resources and helping agencies. Many of the available resources are confidential.

The Behavioral Health Optimization Program embeds behavioral health providers, typically psychologists or social workers, within base primary care clinics to deliver brief, behaviorally-based interventions that emphasize education, skill-building, self-management and home-based strategies.

Military One Source provides another option for struggling Airmen and family members. In this program Airmen get help with deployments, reintegration, moves, parenthood, retirement, and an array of other life challenges. Services are available 24 hours a day – by phone at 800-342-9647 and online at http://www.militaryonesource.com/skins/MOS/home.aspx.

Czeisperger also discussed the relationship of drug and alcohol use to suicide.

“Any type of depressant can alter one’s regular thought process,” she said. “Any time you misuse a substance, this can lead to problems.”

“Early intervention is important,” she said. “If you think you or your wingman have a problem, get to a healthcare provider and let that person make a professional assessment.”

A number of resources are available to include the Air Force Suicide Prevention website, the Airman's Guide for Assisting Personnel in Distress, the Military Crisis Line by calling 1-800-273-8255, press 1, text 838255, or go online to chat at www.militarycrisisline.net, with access to peer counselors in person and through online chats and text messaging.

Suicide prevention training for all members of the Air Force, including active duty, civilians, Guard and Reserve are located at https://www.wingmanonline.org/Home.

For more information and resources, visit the Air Force Suicide Prevention website at www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/suicideprevention.