Suicide Prevention Month: Raising awareness that suicide is preventable

Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Jim Remington | Talk to someone. Everyday actions that foster trust and build meaningful connections can start or continue conversations so we can more effectively intervene when we see signs of a colleague, friend or family member in distress. By actively communicating and staying engaged, we may be more likely to notice small signs of distress in others and intervene early, before a crisis occurs. Airman 1st Class Zachary Scaffidi, a native of Macungie, Pa., and Airman 1st Class Ruthanne Juza, a native of Barronett, Wis., both mental health technicians in the 579th Medical Group's mental health flight at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, share routine and casual conversation over coffee.  

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES

09.18.2014

Story by Lt.Cmdr. Jim Remington 

Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling

WASHINGTON - Suicide is never an easy or comfortable subject for discussion. Prevention and understanding are more difficult still. We can all, however, learn to recognize the risk factors as a simple and very important first step.

During the month of September, we observe Suicide Prevention Month to draw greater attention to suicide, to promote increased understanding about it, to reduce the stigma around it, and to ultimately save lives. Though the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has named September national Suicide Prevention Month, attention must be paid to this topic year-round.

“Certainly there isn’t just one month of the year that we focus on suicide prevention and ignore it the other eleven,” said Navy Cmdr. Wesley Sloat, senior installation chaplain at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB). “It’s to heighten the awareness, and as we head into the holidays, as we head into seasonal changes, there are many different things going on. People are moving. There are stressors in life. I think it’s a combination of those, and many other things, that causes us to pause and take a strong look at how we’re monitoring one another, how we’re conducting suicide prevention, and getting involved.”

Goals for Suicide Prevention month include: First, raising awareness that suicide is preventable; second, to improve education about suicide; third, to spread information about suicide awareness; and fourth, to decrease stigmatization regarding suicide.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 3,000 people on average commit suicide daily. Suicide rates are at an all-time high for veterans. In addition, for every person who commits suicide, 20 or more others attempt to end their lives.

The first step toward prevention is education. The VA stresses the importance of individuals and organizations learning the warning signs of depression or the sudden presence of risky behavior. These signs may mean someone is at risk for suicide. Risk is greater if a behavior is new or has increased, and if it seems related to a painful event, loss, or change.

While there are no absolute signs that signal someone is contemplating suicide, most people have a hard time hiding the fact that they are having personal struggles.

Here are some of the things for which to be especially watchful: talking about wanting to die or killing oneself; looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or buying a gun; talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live; talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain; talking about being a burden to others; increasing the use of alcohol or drugs; acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly; sleeping too little or too much; being withdrawn or exhibiting feelings of isolation; showing rage or talking about seeking revenge; displaying extreme mood swings.

Additional warning signs of suicide include: preoccupation with death; suddenly happier, calmer; loss of interest in things one cares about; visiting or calling people to say goodbye; making arrangements; setting one’s affairs in order; giving things away, such as prized possessions.

Everyday actions that foster trust and build meaningful connections can start or continue conversations so we can more effectively intervene when we see signs of a colleague, friend, or family member in distress. By actively communicating and staying engaged, we may be more likely to notice small signs of distress in others and intervene early, before a crisis occurs.

“I use the word ‘invasive’ because you have to be a bit invasive to do suicide prevention right,” said Sloat. “You have to ask someone directly. And one of the things that they required when I went through the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), is to teach personnel how to ask. You have to ask the question something like, ‘Are you feeling suicidal or are you thinking about suicide?’ You cannot just say, ‘Are you thinking of harming yourself?,’ because they might say, ‘No I’m thinking of killing myself, so I can dodge that question.’ They teach you to be direct so that you can deal head on with that problem. Most models of suicide intervention and prevention are going to do that.”

In addition to understanding the outward signs that someone may be a risk for suicide, it is equally important to understand and be aware of the factors that put someone at greater risk of suicide.

“The research suggests there are a couple of core factors. Hopelessness is one. Whatever the problem is in his or her life, an individual who feels like things are not going to change no matter what he or she does, they’re going to be at risk for suicide. So it’s helplessness and hopelessness. ‘There’s nothing I can do. No one can help me. There is no light at the end of the tunnel,’” said Air Force Maj. David Reynolds, clinical health psychologist and commander of the mental health flight within the 579th Medical Group at JBAB and a native of Hilton, New York. “Those are two big risk factors. The other items that we ask about and of which we ask the staff to be aware, are self-hate and low self-esteem. ‘Oh I shouldn't be here. I’m not worthy of this life. No one is going to miss me.’ There is also another called ‘agitation.’ It’s this feeling that whatever my problem is something has to be done about it right now, as opposed to three days or three months.”

The Navy’s approach to suicide prevention is called ACT (Ask, Care, Treat). ACT is a three-step process designed to help determine if someone is suicidal and to prevent them from hurting themselves. It stands for: Ask- ask the person if they are thinking of hurting themselves, Care- listen and let the person know they are not alone, and Treatment- get your shipmate to help as quickly as possible; such as the duty officer, chaplain, friend, medical personnel, or others who can help. Ask, Care, Escort (ACE) is the Army’s version. Whatever the acronym, the message and intent is the same, look out for one another, ask direct questions when you notice concerning signs, and take
action as necessary.

But what of the people who show no classic warning signs, and are hesitant to reach out because of the stigma behind asking for help?

There are a number of easy to reach resources available to those who feel stress, anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide, both in person at JBAB or by telephone and the Internet.

The Military Crisis Line (www.veteranscrisisline.net) provides free, confidential support to Veterans and their families from qualified professionals—many of them veterans themselves. Since its launch in 2007, they have answered more than 640,000 calls and made more than 23,000 life-saving rescues. The Veterans Crisis Line is open around the clock, seven days a week, and veterans can connect via phone, anonymous online chat, and text message.

AfterDeployment.org (www.afterdeployment.org) provides interactive videos, resources, assessments and more information focusing on PTS D, anger, depression, and other topics.

Military Mental Health (www.militarymentalhealth.org) provides anonymous mental health and alcohol self-assessments, along with additional resources for family members and loved ones.

The National Center for Telehealth and Technology (www.t2health.org) has put together a list of mobile applications and healthcare provider resources for service members, veterans, and their families. View or download these apps at www.t2health.org/mobile-apps.

Suicide is preventable. During Suicide Prevention Month, show support to those in need and their loved ones by spreading the word about these and other confidential resources that are right at their fingertips.

During the course of this month the Joint Base Journal will continue this discussion of suicide prevention with closer looks into the topic as it relates to the active-duty and veteran communities as well as teens and youth.

• Date Taken: 09.18.2014
• Date Posted: 09.18.2014 16:17
• Story ID: 142605
• Location: WASHINGTON, DC, US
• Hometown: HILTON, NY, US