Base leadership increases suicide prevention vigilance

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Base officials are urging Team Edwards to be vigilant and practice the Wingman concept to help prevent tragic loss of life as there has been an increased rate of suicides Air Force-wide. 

According to the Air Force Suicide Prevention Program, 16 active-duty Airmen have committed suicide in 2009. 

"It is alarming," said Capt. Chadwick Ackison, 95th Medical Operations Squadron clinical psychologist and chief of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program. "We've had a number of close calls on base, but we were able to intervene through commanders being vigilant and first sergeants being aware to make appropriate referrals." 

Close calls are defined as a significant threat or harm to one's self. This may include individuals reporting serious suicidal ideation or thoughts of harming themselves or other individuals. The Mental Health Flight receives notification of these close calls from commanders, first sergeants, supervisors and people observant and aware their fellow Airmen's behavior. 

"However, we are seeing more close calls than we used to," Captain Ackison said. 

Some risk factors include serious legal, financial and family problems, he said. Young males, specifically ages 21 to 25, pose the highest risk. Substance abuse is also associated with suicide. Other factors include mid-career transitioning difficulties, health concerns and or problems with relationships. 

"The bottom line is they ultimately feel there is no alternative solution," the captain said. "They feel their problems are so significant that they don't have an alternative." 

The base has various organizations to help Airmen and families -- Mental Health Clinic, Chaplains office, Family Advocacy, Substance Abuse Program (ADAPT), Airman and Family Readiness Center, Health and Wellness Center and Drug Demand Reduction. 

"The Mental Health Clinic and Family Advocacy offer individual and marital counseling as well as a spectrum of psycho-educational classes on a variety of topics, such as anger and stress, couples communication, parenting and substance abuse awareness," said Maj. Nadine Griffin, Mental Health Flight commander. "Suicides are devastating to the family, workplace and community. Often people are concerned more about the perceived stigma of getting help which prevents them from getting help they need. Such barriers can often lead to negative implications and outcomes. "

Edwards base organizations have programs that in some way impact the basic problem of thinking about harming yourself or others, said Dr. Roxanne Lewis, Mental Health Clinic psychologist. 

"Studies have found out statistically that people who are at risk are people who are having problems, regardless of the (type of) problem," Dr. Lewis said. 

Individuals who have thoughts of committing suicide should tell someone about it, she said. One of the symptoms of depression is the feeling of isolation -- that is exactly the wrong thing to do. 

"What they need is the support of their group, their team and the people around them, not to isolate them," Dr. Lewis said. "They need people they can come to and who can help them overcome whatever issues that lead them to think killing themselves is a solution." 

She said the person who the individual confides to should also share the information.
Some of the symptoms of people with suicidal thoughts include behavioral changes, such as an individual who used to be outgoing becomes withdrawn, changes in personal hygiene, appearance, substance abuse, increased alcohol intake and others. 

"For some people who have decided that suicide is what they're going to do, interestingly enough, their mood typically improves," Captain Ackison said. "You will see somebody who is depressed for a very long time, now you see all of a sudden there is a marked increase in the mood. Also, some of the symptoms include giving property away, writing letters, discussions of mortality, things like that." 

Captain Ackison said the Wingman concept is crucial in suicide prevention. 

"We can't be an island onto ourselves," he said. "We should take the time to reach out to our Wingman. As a Wingman, make an observation and take a few minutes to invest in our colleagues, peers or subordinates. That's the frontline. The people we work with are the ones who see us more so than our family and know us best." 

The idea of suicide is difficult and fraught with stigma, Dr. Lewis said. There are several groups of people who are more prone to suicide -- significantly depressed and isolated, significantly anxious and isolated, and sick and isolated. 

"It is the isolation that really leads them to the hopelessness and helplessness," Dr. Lewis said. "People have a job because they are needed. When they belong to an organization like the Air Force, they are important. If they don't believe that, they should be talking to people to find out how they are important. We have a mission and objectives, and we need everybody to meet them. You are needed." 

Major Griffin said suicide prevention is a community effort. 

"It is a community responsibility that requires buddy care, individual and family support, and active involvement by commanders and leaders," Major Griffin said.