Music: Walk On By U2

OVERVIEW 1. GOAL 2. STATISTICS 3. FACTS AND MYTHS 4. PRECIPITATING EVENTS 5. WARNING SIGNS 6. 7 STEPS OF PREVENTION 7. SUMMARY 8. CONCLUSION

SUICIDE PREVENTION GOAL DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS WHOSE EMOTIONAL CONDITION PLACES PLACES THEM AT RISK FOR SELF-INJURY

COMMANDERS RESPONSIBILITY AR PARA COMMANDERS AT ALL LEVELS WILL INITIATE PROACTIVE MEASURES TO WILL INITIATE PROACTIVE MEASURES TO PREVENT LOSS OF LIFE WITHIN THEIR UNIT PREVENT LOSS OF LIFE WITHIN THEIR UNIT DUE TO SUICIDE AND TO REDUCE THE DUE TO SUICIDE AND TO REDUCE THE IMPACT ON SURVIVORS IF A SUICIDE TAKES IMPACT ON SURVIVORS IF A SUICIDE TAKES PLACE.. PLACE.. PARA 2-8. SUICIDE PREVENTION IS THE CONCERN OF EVERY LEADER, COMMANDER, CONCERN OF EVERY LEADER, COMMANDER, SUPERVISOR, SOLDIER, AND ARMY CIVILIAN SUPERVISOR, SOLDIER, AND ARMY CIVILIAN

SOLDIER TRAINING AT ALL SOLDIER TRAINING AT ALLINSTALLATIONS INTERVENTION TEAMS INTERVENTION TEAMS CONSISTING OF DRUG & ALCOHOL, FAMILY ADVOCACY, PROVOST MARSHALL, SAFETY, MENTAL HEALTH, CHAPLAINS CONSISTING OF DRUG & ALCOHOL, FAMILY ADVOCACY, PROVOST MARSHALL, SAFETY, MENTAL HEALTH, CHAPLAINS WHAT ARE WE DOING?

STATISTICS 32,000 SUICIDES PER YEAR IN THE U.S. 32,000 SUICIDES PER YEAR IN THE U.S. SUICIDES BY METHOD: GUNSHOT 75% SUICIDES BY METHOD: GUNSHOT 75% HANGING 17% HANGING 17% OTHER 8% OTHER 8% TYPICAL ARMY SUICIDE IN 2005 WAS A TYPICAL ARMY SUICIDE IN 2005 WAS A WHITE MALE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 20 AND WHITE MALE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 20 AND 25 YRS OF AGE (MAJORITY E-1 THRU E-7) 25 YRS OF AGE (MAJORITY E-1 THRU E-7)

ARMY SUICIDES Its in the numbers… Army suicides in the past ten years have averaged between 60 and 100 deaths per year.

FACT OR FICTION? 1.Once suicidal – Always suicidal 2.A person who attempts it once wont try again. 3.Suicidal persons are mentally ill. 4.The holiday season has the highest suicide rate. 5.Circumstances affect emotional equilibrium. Fiction Fiction Fiction Fact Fact

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS Weak Emotional Support System Domestic Difficulties Domestic Difficulties Job/ School Pressure Job/ School Pressure Drug Or Alcohol Abuse Drug Or Alcohol Abuse Economic Distress Economic Distress

DEPRESSION Depression is a mood disorder that features Withdrawal, Loss of Pleasure, Feelings of Sadness, and Physical Discomfort. Symptoms: Neglect of Appearance Loss of appetite/weight gain Loss of appetite/weight gain Poor concentration/memory Poor concentration/memory Emotional Flatness Emotional Flatness Psychosomatic Illness Psychosomatic Illness Mood Swings Mood Swings Withdrawal Withdrawal

TRIGGERING EVENTS EVENTS Breakup Job Termination Loss from Death Imprisonment

PRIMARY WARNING SIGNS HOPELESSNESS HELPLESSNESS HELPLESSNESS WORTHLESSNESS WORTHLESSNESS NEGLECT OF PERSON NEGLECT OF PERSON WITHDRAWN WITHDRAWN MOOD SWINGS MOOD SWINGS EMOTIONAL PAIN EMOTIONAL PAIN FRUSTRATION FRUSTRATION PHYSICAL COMPLAINTS PHYSICAL COMPLAINTS CONSTRICTION OF OPTIONS CONSTRICTION OF OPTIONS

VERBAL WARNINGS Im Going To Kill Myself! Id Be Better Off Dead! Id Be Better Off Dead! I Just Cant Go On Any Longer! I Just Cant Go On Any Longer! You Wont Be Seeing Me Any Longer! You Wont Be Seeing Me Any Longer! Im Checking Out Of Here! Im Checking Out Of Here! I Just Want To Get Rid Of The Pain!

7 STEPS FOR PREVENTION 1. ASK IF ANYTHING IS WRONG 2. TAKE THREATS SERIOUSLY 3. CONFRONT THE PROBLEM AND BE DIRECT AND BE DIRECT 4. OFFER SUPPORT 5. DONT LEAVE THEM ALONE 6. REMOVE LETHAL WEAPONS 7. GET PROFESSIONAL HELP

When assessing the risk, look for the relationship between Danger and Rescue A high level of danger and a small opportunity for rescue makes a threat a High Risk Event

SUMMARY 1. GOAL 2. STATISTICS 3. FACTS AND MYTHS 4. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS 5. DEPRESSION 6. TRIGGERING EVENTS 7. WARNING SIGNS 8. 7 STEPS

YOU CAN PREVENT SUICIDES Brought to you by Fort Stewart and the Camp Atterbury Directorate of Emergency Services – LTC Glen E. Potts, Director …if you suspect that someone is seriously contemplating such action, contact the MP 1109 immediately.