1. 1 Air National Guard Briefings on: Suicide Prevention

2. 2 SuicidePrevention Suicide Prevention Overview  Personal Experience  Myths  Risk Factors  Balancing Life’s Stress  Symptoms of Risk  What To Do If You Suspect Trouble  What To Avoid Doing If You Suspect Trouble  Key Ideas

3. 3 Personal Experience  How many of you have had personal experience with someone who has attempted suicide?  How many of you have had personal experience with someone who has been successful in suicide?  You are welcome to share your story if you like  If, at the end of our time together, you have painful memories that have been stirred, please stay after class. Do not carry them out with you.

4. 4 Myths  People who commit suicide are mentally ill  Talking about suicide will put the idea into another person’s head  Good circumstances prevent suicide  People who talk about suicide won’t commit suicide  People who threaten suicide, cut their wrists, or don’t succeed with other attempts are not a risk for suicide  People who are deeply depressed don’t have the energy to commit suicide  People often commit suicide without warning

5. 5 Marilyn--A Case History  Married, College student, with 2 little girls, editor of school paper, editor of school annual  History of depression--but getting better  Went around campus and said “Goodbye” to every office  Called husband--talked him into coming home for lunch  Husband found her before the children came home from school  Shot herself in the kitchen

6. 6 Marilyn--In Hindsight 20/20  She appeared to be Getting Better  She said “Goodbye”  She had a plan  She had the means  People didn’t ask, “Are you thinking about suicide?”

7. 7 Risk Factors  Alcohol and Drug Abuse  Financial Problems  Legal Problems  Family Violence  Poor Job Performance  Relationship Difficulties  Inability to Cope  Disciplinary Actions  Under Investigation

8. 8 Balancing the stress of Life is a difficult challenge Balancing the stress of Life is a difficult challenge Scale Scale

9. 9 It doesn’t take a lot to throw life out of balance Scale Scale

10. 10 What coping mechanisms do you find helpful in dealing with your life’s stress?

11. 11 Symptoms of Risk  Suicide Gestures  Pessimistic Outlook  Giving Away Items  Talking About Suicide  Talking About Death  Farewells  Increased Alcohol Use  Weeping Easily  Change in Eating Habits- Weight Loss

12. 12 Symptoms of Risk Continued  Drop in Performance  Increased Irritability  Loss of Sense of Humor  Social Withdrawal  Continual Sadness  Feeling Hopeless/Helpless  Change in Sleeping Habits  Chronic Illness/Pain  Loss of Health

13. 13 Red Flags... If someone displays a dramatic behavior or personality change it is vital for supervisors and co-workers to find out what is going on-- Always Ask the individual “Are you considering suicide?”

14. 14 What To Do If You Suspect Trouble When Serving on Duty Status When Serving on Duty Status Provide ‘ AID’ Provide ‘ AID’  A sk “Are You Thinking About Suicide?”  I ntervene immediately—Become Involved  D o Seek Help---Get Timely Advice From a Helping Professional

15. 15 If You Suspect The Person Is Suicidal Save Their ‘LIFE’  L ocate Help: Supervisor, First Shirt, Chapel Staff, Medical Staff, Friend  I nform Chain of Command  F ind Someone to Stay with the Person  E xpedite Intervention-- Get Help Immediately

16. 16 What To Do If You Suspect Trouble When Not Serving on Duty Status Provide ‘ AID’ When Not Serving on Duty Status Provide ‘ AID’  A sk “Are You Thinking About Suicide?”  I ntervene immediately—Become Involved  D o Seek Help---Get Timely Advice From a Helping Professional

17. 17 What To Do If You Suspect Trouble When Not Serving on Duty Status When Not Serving on Duty Status Save Their ‘LIFE’  L ocate Help: Crisis line, Hospital Emergency Room, Friend, Family, Police, Chaplain, Clergy  I nform Family and Individual’s Support Network  F ind Someone to Stay with the Person  E xpedite--Get Help Immediately

18. 18 What To Avoid Doing If You Suspect Trouble: Don’t What To Avoid Doing If You Suspect Trouble: Don’t  Ignore Warning Signs  Warn Against Seeking Help  Assume Minor Troubles are Unimportant  Give Advice/False Reassurance  Assume Someone is Immune from Self-harm  Advise Drug/Alcohol Use  Challenge the Individual to “Just Do It”

19. 19 Key Ideas  Everyone is encouraged to seek help before letting their feelings get out of control  Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness  Seeking help doesn’t necessarily end one’s career—Not seeking help when needed will end a career  People are the Air National Guard’s greatest asset and we want to preserve their careers by helping them deal with life’s stress

20. 20 Issues of Confidentiality The Chaplain can be a tremendous source of help and support by offering confidentiality to you when talking about personal issues.

21. 21 This Concludes the Presentation on Suicide Prevention Do You Have Any Questions?