GTMO's Drive to Assist Those at Risk of Suicide

NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

07.23.2010

Story by Chief Petty Officer Bill Mesta 

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

✔ ✗ Subscribe

2

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, held base-wide suicide awareness and prevention training on July 21 and 22. The training provided the GTMO community information on what they can do should they encounter someone who could be at risk for committing suicide.

The Commander, Navy Region Southeast requested that all installations in the Southeast and their tenant commands conduct the suicide awareness training.

The Naval Station’s Command Chaplain, Lt. Thomas O’Flanagan, in coordination with Fleet and Family Services gave the presentations over two day gave the presentations.

“It is good for us to identify prominent risk factors and warning signs that can contribute to a general sense of despair or hopelessness that might result in someone causing themselves harm,” said O’Flanagan, “key to prevention is a well informed populous, knowledge of available resources and genuine concern for the well-being of one another can significantly decrease overwhelming anxieties and a general sense that the individual is isolated and alone.”

According to O’Flanagan, “everyone is a first responder by virtue of the fact that they may have noticed that someone is exhibiting warning signs or that they have been approached for help. “For the best possible approach,” said O’Flanagan, “it is essential that we remember the acronym, ACT, which means ask, care, and treat.

O’Flanagan asked the audience to renew their dedication to being aware of the people in the community and to be engaged with those around them.

“Care for them by letting them know that you only want what is best for them and that you will be discrete in finding them the help that they need,” said O’Flanagan, “but, whether you are bringing them to the attention of their chain of command, the CDO (Command Duty Officer) or somebody at medical, we need to find the right people who can provide the best help.”

O’Flanagan encouraged the audience to pay close attention to the people in their work centers if they seem to display any obvious signs of despair.

During the training, O’Flanagan advised the audience to take personal responsibility for the situation when one encounters a person who is at risk for committing suicide. He also cautioned that one should not place themselves at risk of physical harm by trying to take a weapon away from the person who is threatening suicide, but to alert trained personnel.

“Our Fleet and Family Services provide for all people on the base without exception,” O’Flanagan said, “no matter what the issue there is someone who is willing and able to assist.”

O’Flanagan provided insight to how a person who is at risk to commit suicide might view the world around them.

“Imagine you are having a beautiful day, then you receive some bad news such as being told that your spouse wants a divorce, an illness of a child or receive a letter stating that you have fallen behind in paying your bills.” said O’Flanagan, “every single thing for the rest of your day, every order that you take, every decision that you make, may be colored with that difficult moment and may cause you to have a tremendous amount of anxiety. Combined with other dangerous risk factors, that individual’s whole day can become almost a tunnel vision focused on that anxiety that has been created.”

“These increasing anxieties can build to a point that causes a person to despair and could lead to a feeling of total hopelessness,” according to O’Flanagan.

“Such an individual could feel as though they don’t have any purpose in life,” said O’Flanagan. “Our goal is to reassure them that it is good that they exist and that we can help them get through the difficult times.”

According to O’Flanagan, “roughly 1 million people take their own lives each year worldwide. In the United States, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death. In 2006 approximately 33,300 Americans committed suicide.”

“Statistics indicate that 75 percent of all people who commit suicide give us some sign,” said O’Flanagan. “They are looking for someone to assist them in some way.”

Some of the difficult issues that can contribute to placing someone at risk for suicide include substance abuse, relationship problems and financial difficulties.

“The recent economic decline has significantly contributed to the increased pressure on our society in general, “said O’Flanagan. “In some cases family members who are out of work are putting unrealistic financial demands on those who do have jobs.”

In 2009 the rate of suicide in the armed services was 48 suicides in the Navy, 52 suicides in the Marine Corps, 160 suicides in the Army, and 41 suicides in the Air Force, according to O’Flanagan.

“Current Navy statistics indicate that we have a critical window to properly assist those returning from the warzone who require these resources and our diligent attention,” said O’Flanagan. “Data from Jan. 2002 through Sept. 2007 shows that Navy service members who complete suicide after returning home from Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom are most likely to do it within the first six months.”

One myth about suicide is that they are more prevalent around the Christmas holidays.

“This is not true, “said O’Flanagan, “there is no significant difference in the suicide rate from month to month.”

While the subject of suicide in our community is very troubling, there is hope according to O’Flanagan.

“The common solution for the issues facing those at risk for suicide is unit cohesion,” said O’Flanagan. “To be able to look at a balanced life and say that physically, spiritually and emotionally we are trying take care of one another is important.”
According to O’Flanagan, “It is vital that a person who is at risk be made aware that they are good and of their existence is worthwhile.”

“It is good that you exist, and I will do everything necessary let you see how good you are and that we can help you with this,” said O’Flanagan. “If you have a problem in this area, we are going to assist you; we are going to provide you the proper counseling and the proper guidance so that you can find hope and purpose.”

If you or someone you know is at risk of committing suicide, inform your chain of command, the base Chaplin, base medical or the Fleet and Family Service Center.