Awareness, use of resources essential for suicide prevention Published Aug. 19, 2009 By Meredith March 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Sometimes in a tragedy, the warning signs seem obvious after the fact. Other times, it appears to have come completely out of the blue. Regardless of the scenario, suicide is devastating for those left behind. In an alarming trend, military suicide rates are increasing within each Armed Forces agency, according to Maj. Paul Rivest, Mental Health Flight commander. For the Air Force specifically, Mahor Rivest said the service's suicide rates have been higher than they were in previous years. From Jan. 1 to July 2 of this year, the Air Force lost 20 members to suicide - an increase from 17 suicides during the same time span in 2008. This increase indicates that the total number of Air Force suicides for 2009 could surpass the 2008 year-end total of 40 suicides. Consequently, prevention efforts focusing on awareness are being revitalized and heavily promoted by leadership in all services. Major Rivest said "Commanders and leadership want everyone to be mindful of this problem and watching their people so they will be in a better position to intervene and avert potential suicides." Common risk factors While the reasons individuals consider suicide vary, there are some common emotional triggers, Major Rivest said. Relationship problems, financial stress, legal troubles, administrative punishments, serious medical issues, substance abuse - particularly alcohol - and other potentially devastating stressors can become causes for desperation. Post-traumatic stress disorder is also an increasing risk factor for suicide. Symptoms of depression While everyone feels blue once in a while or has a bad day, these stressors can trigger depression, which is another key factor in suicides, the major said. According to Major Rivest, symptoms that could indicate clinical depression and be causes for concern are: · A sad mood or irritability most days, nearly all of the day, for a consistent or extended period of time. "Some people with depression present as more irritable than sad, but remain in some negative mood along those lines most of the day, nearly every day for weeks." · Tiredness, fatigue and ongoing loss of energy. · A drop in motivation, disconnecting from others and general decreased participation in life. "Individuals are not going out with their friends and they're not doing the things they like or accomplishing as much at work. They're just less and less engaged in life." · Change in sleep patterns -- insomnia or hypersomnia. Individuals can look fatigued and constantly tired. · Changes in appetite -- excessive or decreased hunger. · Constantly thinking about things that are depressing or upsetting to them, inability to think of anything else. · Feeling guilty or hopeless. · Thinking about suicide. When to be concerned When a loved one, friend or Wingman becomes concerned about someone, it can be difficult for them to know when to simply remain supportive and when to intervene. If an individual brings up suicide it should always be taken seriously, Major Rivest said. "You should always pay attention to the mention of suicide or death. Some people might just be talking; other people might say it and sound like they're joking but that might be their way of asking for help. That might be their way of feeling you out to see if you'll respond." Individuals who find themselves in this situation should not be afraid to express concern or ask questions, Major Rivest said. They should ask if the person means what he or she just said and if the person has really been thinking about hurting him or herself. If the person has, the next questions should be what the chances are that the individual will carry it out and if he or she has a plan. "If someone has any plan or intent, then you want to act immediately and get involved," Major Rivest said. "You can call Mental Health, a first sergeant or commander or an emergency room. If you have real concerns that someone might be at risk, don't leave them alone. Call someone to come and help." Help through listening, expressing concern People can be afraid to mention their concerns about suicide to friends and loved ones they perceive to be at risk, but rarely go wrong by expressing a desire to help, Major Rivest said. "If you're approaching them with concern and trying to help there probably isn't much wrong you can say." However, the concerned party should avoid minimizing any problems or feelings of distress the possibly at-risk person discloses, the major said. "Wrong things that people do are challenging the person, daring them to [commit suicide], ignoring or not believing the person and telling them to 'Suck it up,' or saying 'It's not that bad,'" the major said. "That won't help. Just listening and showing them you'd like to do something for them helps." Where to go for help There are many resources for individuals who need help or are seeking help for someone else, Major Rivest said. Active-duty servicemembers and their families are eligible for counseling with Mental Health or can visit with the Military and Family Life Consultant for non-crisis consultations at the Airman and Family Readiness Center or an alternate location. Consultations with MFLCs, who rotate to different bases every 45 days and do not keep counseling records, are free and private. Help through MilitaryOneSource is another option for military members, spouses and dependents. MilitaryOneSource offers suicide prevention information, a helpline and free face-to-face counseling sessions. For more information visit www.militaryonesource.com or call (800) 342-9647. Department of Defense civilians can get help through the Employee Assistance Program, which offers free, confidential short-term counseling. Additional resources for both servicemembers and civilians include the Base Chapel and individuals' primary care physicians. Individuals who have been affected by a friend's, loved one's, or Wingman's suicide can also utilize the resources mentioned above. In addition, if a suicide happens within an active-duty unit, Mental Health professionals can offer debriefings at the unit's site or offer individual consultations, Major Rivest said.