Working to prevent suicide

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Edward Flynn | Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Joy Wilson, a neuropsychiatric technician with Joint Task Force Guantanamo's Joint Stress Mitigation and Restoration Team, talks to a JTF Trooper during daily rounds at one of the detention facilities, Dec. 26. JSMART offers services to troopers in stress management, positive coping skills, conflict resolution and relationship building. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released by a court. The JTF conducts intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination for the protection of detainees and personnel working in JTF Guantanamo facilities and in support of the War on Terror. JTF Guantanamo provides support to the Office of Military Commissions, to law enforcement and to war crimes investigations. The JTF conducts planning for and, on order, responds to Caribbean mass migration operations.  

12.31.2009

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Edward Flynn 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

At an alarming rate over the last few years, suicide and suicide attempts have increased significantly throughout the U.S. military. Mental health, depression and stress are issues that are constantly discussed throughout the military. Suicide is now the second highest cause of death for U.S. military forces. Fortunately, living and working in difficult and often hazardous conditions is not something you have to experience alone. While deployed to Joint Task Force Guantanamo, help is readily available to any individual seeking counseling or just someone with whom to talk.

Providing service members with the needed support system has been the cornerstone of the Joint Stress Mitigation and Restoration Team. The JSMART staff includes a clinical psychologist and three neuropsychiatric technicians who are experienced in stress management, positive coping skills, assertiveness training, conflict resolution and relationship building.

Without someone to talk to or share your concerns or even frustrations with, these issues can often mushroom into something larger. From deployment-related stress, family concerns back home, emptiness during the holiday season and operational security measures, many service members experience some type of anxiety or depression while deployed. JSMART personnel also provide outreach at various lectures and forums throughout U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. Additionally, JSMART offers sessions to individual service members on a walk-in or scheduled basis at the JSMART office.

From behind the wire, inside the galley and at the often busy work spaces, the "on-the-spot" outreach effort by JSMART staff ensures the communication effort to service members is frequent, consistent and readily available.

"I try to give the service members a positive outlook, which helps with their stressors at the time," said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Joy Wilson, a neuropsychiatric technician and member of the JSMART team. "JSMART offers a variety of services while out on rounds. We provide personnel with information that can be used to improve the quality of life, reduce the probability of problems developing, improve work performance, and improve the environment of the command to further the mission."

Additionally, Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC), working closely with JSMART, provides clinical and non-clinical services to service members and base personnel on suicide prevention, referral sources and one-on-one counseling. FFSC has personnel who understand the many hardships experienced by military personnel.

Although the FFSC is physically located on the naval station side of the base, they also maintain an office at the JTF One-Stop. FFSC has licensed clinical professionals and mental health counselors to work with those at risk. One-on-one counseling sessions are available to anyone dealing with stress, depression and experiencing any signs of suicide.

Additionally, the non-clinical staff provides monthly training on suicide prevention, anger management, stress management, family advocacy and work and family life programs.

"Fleet and Family Support Center is one piece of the entire puzzle," said Lee Adelman, education services facilitator. "We work closely with JTF, the hospital staff, the chaplain's office and an entire network of support personnel throughout the base. We are available to anyone that needs our assistance. Most of the time, just sharing your concerns with those willing to listen makes a situation that might seem bleak, much brighter."

Adelman praised the supportive relationship and partnership with the leadership of JTF Guantanamo on these issues and in identifying and providing counseling services to service members dealing with stress, depression and other issue.

Since nearly eight percent of those who attempt or commit suicide give some warning of their intensions, it is important for each service member to know common suicide high-risk factors: psychiatric issues, drug and alcohol use, relationship issues, domestic violence, financial problems, family history, prior suicide attempts, a significant loss, depression, hopelessness and social loss. Each incident and reason why is as unique as the individual.

If you think a service member is at risk of suicide, it is important to ACT = Ask — Be willing to listen, Care — Take it seriously, Treat — Seek professional help; stay with your friend, and call 911 or emergency personnel — service members taking care of service members!

JTF Guantanamo and the FFSC continue to provide exceptional mental health services with open arms, a personal touch and an understanding heart. Just listening to a service member can begin to address their concerns.

• Date Taken: 12.31.2009
• Date Posted: 12.31.2009 15:43
• Story ID: 43348