1. Air Force Suicide Prevention

2. Overview Historical Data Identifying Individuals Who Might be at Risk
Sources of Help
Ways to Respond
What Prevents People from Seeking Help?
Disaster Mental Health Response Team
Key Takeaways 7 7

3. Historical Data The Air Force and Suicide Prevention Program (AFSPP)
Suicides increased in early 1990’s
AFSPP created in 1996 3 3

4. Historical Data AF Suicide Facts
From , 2990 service members died by suicide while on active duty.
517 of those were Airmen
9 AD AF suicides in first quarter of 2013
25 AD AF suicides in first quarter of 2014 3 3

5. Historical Data White males were the largest group to commit suicide
Predominate marital status of those that committed suicide—single never married and married
Primary age group included year olds 3 3

6. Identifying Individuals Who Might be at Risk1 1

7. Video - “Warning Signs”

8. Risk Factors Relationship stress Mental health problems
Financial stress
Significant sleep problems
Legal problems
History of attempts
Negative social interactions
Major life transitions
Substance abuse
Recent loss
Academic and other life failures
Sense of being a burden to others
Hopelessness 2 2

9. Protective Factors Self-efficacy Sense of optimism
Willingness to talk about problems
Sense of belonging to a group and/or organization
Strong Social/community/family support
Belief that it is okay to ask for help
Spiritual/religious affiliation
Easily accessible helping resources 3 3

10. Indicators “I” May Need Help
High or persistent stress leading to problems in everyday living
Difficulty coping
Difficulty functioning
Thoughts about suicide 3 3

11. Knowing When Someone Needs Help Person has a suicide plan
Writes or talks about death/dying/suicide
Can’t sleep and acts impulsively
Feels hopeless
Doesn’t see a future without pain
Feels trapped as though nothing will help
Experiences tremendous guilt or shame
Sees themselves as worthless or a failure
Can’t get out of a depression 3 3

12. Domains of Resiliency Physical Fitness Mental Fitness Social Fitness
Spiritual Fitness 4 4

13. Sources of Help Integrated Delivery System (IDS)
Community Sources of Support
Family, friends, supervisors/leaders
Chaplain Services
Airmen & Family Readiness Center
Area Defense Counsel (ADC)
Mental Health Clinic
Family Advocacy Program
Alcohol Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT) Program
Suicide Prevention Hotline: TALK
Suicide Online Chat:
911 5 5

14. Ways to Respond 6 6

15. Video - “Best Friend”

16. When You are Concerned Think ACE A - Ask your wingman
Have the courage to ask the question, but stay calm
Ask the question directly: "Are you thinking of killing yourself?"
C - Care for your wingman
Calmly control the situation, do not use force, be safe
Actively listen to show understanding and produce relief
Remove any means that could be used for self-injury
E - Escort your wingman
Never leave your buddy alone
Escort to chain of command, Chaplain, behavioral health professional, or primary care provider
Call the Suicide Prevention hotline: (TALK

17. Helpful Approaches Ask about suicide Describe what you are seeing
Be honest and direct
Share your concerns
Use open-ended questions
LISTEN- pay attention to their emotions
Express care and hope for them
Share community sources of support
Tell them about times you sought help 6 6

18. Video - “Suicide Situation”

19. Unhelpful Responses 6 6

20. Unhelpful Responses Don’t: Give advice Be judgmental Lecture or debate
Dare someone to do it
Act shocked
Promise secrecy

21. Intervention Call for professional assistance
Call the CC and First Sergeant
Do not leave them alone
Remove all potential means of self-harm
Involve Security Forces if necessary to protect person
Rely on the advice of Mental Health
Have sufficient personnel if ambulance isn’t available
Provide feedback

22. Intervention Cont’d Only commander can direct evaluation
Commander consults with Judge Advocate General
Commander consults with mental health provider
Mental health provider evaluates person
Ensures member gets appropriate help

23. What Prevents People from Seeking Help?6 6

24. Video - “One-Sided Argument”

25. What Prevents People From Seeking Help?
Denial
Avoidance
Fear seeking help will impact job
Confidentiality 4 4

26. Confidentiality
Information typically only shared with CC and/or First Sergeant
Contact is usually to answer questions regarding safety, fitness for duty, and to enlist the command as a resource to assist the Airman
Minimal info placed in medical record, no medical info placed in personnel record 4 4

27. Confidentiality
If not worldwide qualified for deployment, Airman is put on temporary medical profile so they can complete treatment
Commanders and First Sergeants are assets in addressing scheduling issues to allow members to pursue help and collaborating with Airmen in finding resources to address work/family issues 4 4

28. Disaster Mental Health (DMH) Response Team
DMH is a coordinated response initiated by unit leaders in which the DMH team provides psychological first aid to those who may have had direct exposure to an all-hazard incident
An all-hazard incident, natural or manmade, serious enough to warrant action to protect life, property, health, and safety of military members, dependents, and civilians at risk, and minimize any disruptions of installation operations 4 4

29. DMH Response Team The DMH Response Team consists of:
Mental Health Personnel
Religious Support Team (RST)
Airman and Family Readiness
Others as Needed 4 4

30. Key Takeaways Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility
Help create a Wingman Culture that encourages early help seeking
Being connected to others saves lives
Suicide is not prevented in the hospital emergency room—it is prevented in the unit 4 4

31. Summary Historical Data Identifying Individuals Who Might be at Risk
Sources of Help
Ways to Respond
What Prevents People from Seeking Help?
Disaster Mental Health Response Team
Key Takeaways 7 7