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    National Suicide Prevention Awareness Week 2020

    Suicide Prevention Awareness Week begins Sept. 6

    Photo By Master Sgt. Jessica Wilson | Members of the 188th Wing Airman Care Team... read more read more

    FORT SMITH , AR, UNITED STATES

    09.02.2020

    Story by Tech. Sgt. Jessica Wilson 

    188th Wing

    EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. National Suicide Prevention Awareness Week begins Sept. 6.

    Suicide is a dark topic best addressed in a direct, unfiltered fashion. The week is a time to share resources, stories, and promote suicide prevention awareness.

    “If you suspect someone is thinking about suicide, be blunt and just ask,” says Maj. Matt Garrison, a 188th chaplain. “Sometimes using difficult, direct words are better than dancing around the subject. If an Airman says yes, escort them to help.”

    Remember the acronym ACE.

    Ask

    Care

    Escort to help.

    “Make sure you escort [them] to a safe environment and remove all potentially harmful objects,” Garrison emphasized. “Then contact a member of your Airmen Care Team (ACT) ASAP.”

    The care team consists of Jasmine Cain, the Wing’s sexual assault prevention and assault coordinator, Michelle Pike, Airman and family readiness director, the Psychological Health director, wing chaplains and all first sergeants. All members of the ACT are trained in suicide response and available 24/7.

    Additionally, the wing offers safeTALK suicide prevention training to all members and dependents. The safeTALK training empowers everyone to make a difference. The four-hour class prepares attendees to become suicide-alert helpers and practicing powerful, life-saving skills.

    “Our greatest tool in suicide prevention is to build resilient Airmen,” says Cain. “Resiliency is suicide prevention. If we build resilient Airmen, teach them, and support them on how to deal with difficult, life altering situations, Airmen may be less likely to turn to suicide. Building healthy teams and work environments foster protective factors.”

    According to LivingWorks.net, Suicide is currently the second-leading cause of death for people aged 15-29, and you are more likely to encounter someone who needs suicide intervention than CPR. Stay vigilant, look out for one another, and don’t be afraid to ask those difficult questions, they may save a life.

    For more information on resiliency and suicide prevention

    Living Works - safeTALK: https://www.livingworks.net/

    Suicide Prevention Life Line: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

    S:\Wing Training\2020_SAPR_and_Suicide_Prevention_Training

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.02.2020
    Date Posted: 09.03.2020 10:32
    Story ID: 377320
    Location: FORT SMITH , AR, US

    Web Views: 41
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN