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Show July 11, 1996 17 Hilltop Times Awareness, intervention are Hey to helping troubled friends, co-worke- rs, family members After someone had taken his or often ask ask for help? What could possibly be so bad that someone would give up on life? To help answer those questions and find ways to prevent someone from taking that last fatal step, the Air Force Materiel Command initiated a Squadron Commander Suicide Briefing requirement as a way to examine the circumstances surrounding suicide and to identify lessons which could be shared with others. command's goal was to the likelihood of while remaining sensitive to the issue. Although a single factor hasn't been found in why individuals commit suicide, some important factors have been learned her own life, outsiders why. Why didn't they The from past tragedies. Col. Lee P. Rodgers, command surgeon, pointed out these factors in a recent letter. He said the following points are useful in defining the efforts to reduce the suicide risk for personnel in every organization. To the casual observer most incidents may appear impulsive or unexpected. However, in seven of the nine cases studied, the individuals involved were seen as good performers on the job but were often socially distant and private about their personal lives. In addition, there were no indications of administrative or legal difficulties. analysis, however, frequently reflects signs of increased distress. Five victims were experiencing problems in their marital relationships; four were having financial problems; and at least seven were facing major life changes. While some of this information was discovered only after the suicide, all too frequently it was known to or supervisors who chose not to share their concerns or refer them for assistance. Recurring training to ensure awareness of risk factors and mechanisms for accessing helping resources is important; but, more importantly, individuals may need support in overcoming their normal hesitancy in asking for help or in intervening in the lives of in need. Early identification and referral are essential for substance abusers. In six of the nine cases, there was a history of alcohol abuse. Not only does alcohol abuse Post-suici- de cloud decision-makin- it erodes support and increases the potential for problems in other life areas. Referral may be a helpful first step in meeting that person's needs. However, substance use problems may be associated with more generalized limitations in coping skills and, as with any maior lifestyle change, recovery may introduce ad ditional stressors in the life of the individual. Ongoing sensitivity to changes in life circumstances, attitudes or behaviors for those with history of substance abuse problems may serve as an early warning of people with special needs. Contacts with helping agencies and a concerned supervisory chain will not prevent all suicides. Five individuals had a history of mental health problems or were involved in counseling at the time of their suicide. This fact simply reflects the severity of the cases which reach the mental health clinic and hide the large numbers of potential suicides that are averted because of their involvement with supportive services. While there aren't guarantees or easy answers, referral can introduce support, expand awareness of options, and increase coping skills. Any comment about hurting oneself or others must be taken seriously. In two of the cases, overt comments were made in advance of the event suggesting that the individuals may have been considering suicide. Even casual comments reflect significant pain. The message needs to be reinforced at all levels that any discomfort encountered in overreacting to an individual's comment is likely to be ( Major life transitions can be emotionally demanding and aggravate existing problems. Two individuals killed themselves near the day they were to be separated from the Ah Force. While everyone prefers to deal with problems on their own and while supervisors hesitate to intervene in other people's lives, there are times when people need help. Supervisors and can be supportive, not just by being there, but by encouraging others to use the resources available. Heavy loads are most easily carried when people have help. It's critical to realize that suicide is the final stop in a process, not an isolated event. DuD. stop of a process, not an isolated event. There's usually a lengthy life history and multiple factors which converge to create the setting for this ultimate decision. Intervention atf any point may serve to divert the individual along a more healthy path. people define suicide When simple mental problem, they minimize resources and opportunities to affect the course of events before they reach a crisis level. According to Rodgers, suicide is a community problem, one that requires the attention and energy of both helping agencies and community leaders. In addition, commanders play a key role in defining an environment for change, encouraging innovative thinking and marshaling resources to address needs. Local resources Crisis Information Line, Ext. far outweighed by the guilt and remorse that would accompany a failure to act when information was available. Significant roadblocks exist in the use of helping resources. People are not likely to ask for help if supervisors are distant and or in instances where they feel that asking for help will negatively reflect their careers. Commanders and supervisors must be vocal in supporting the use of those services, focusing on the benefits and the inevitable problems which come from doing nothing. Helping professionals need to be proactive, visible members of their communities, emphasizing prevention, not of just treatment. The development a proactive relationship with a mental health resource can only encourage innovative thinking and may be pivotal in the efforts to target training and prevention most unin-volve- Regular contact with geographically separated personnel is critical. Commanders and supervisors need to recognize the special needs of those who are cut off from normal support. Problems can go unnoticed and the hurdles in securing necessary services may be greater. Caring and regular contact increase the sense of connection and may head off a tragic decision. Don't forget survivors' needs. Suicide has a ripple effect, seriously effecting not just family members, but friends, supervisors and commanders. Feelings of hurt, loss, guilt, or anger are common after such an event and people need a chance to share those reactions. Critical incident stress debriefings can be extremely important in helping work units and others involved in or close to the event adjust to the loss. Rodgers also said that it's critical to realize that suicide is the final 17 Employee Assistance, Ext. 15 Alcohol and drug abuse counseling Mental Health, Ext. Crisis intervention, family and individual counseling Chaplain, Ext. Spiritual counseling Family Advocacy, Ext. 09 06 97 Individual, marital or family counseling, domestic violence Family Support Center, Ext. 82 Information and referral, family and life problems Emergency room, 91 1 or Ext. events, medical attention Health and Wellness Center, Ext. Stress management 85 15 |