Base offers suicide prevention measures

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class William O'Brien
  • 95th Air Base Wing public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Between May 2007 and May 2008, 18 Air Force active-duty Airmen's lives were lost because of suicide.

According to the Deployment Health Clinical Center, some of the reasons for suicide in the Air Force include troubled relationships, catastrophic life events such as deaths, legal issues, financial problems, serious physical injury and post traumatic stress after deployment.

"In trying times, all base personnel need to know that there are places they can turn to," said Maj. (Dr.) Julia Quinlan, 95th Medical Operations Squadron staff psychiatrist. "If they come here when they begin having thoughts of suicide, we can help them fix it quickly."

If people wait to address their small stressors, they may affect their life at home and work, said Jennifer Higgins, 95th Force Support Squadron life consultant. If a co-worker shows they may be suicidal, ask them about it. This helps prevent it from becoming a bigger issue.

"The best way to deal with the possibility of suicide is early recognition," Major Quinlan said. "It can be stopped right at their duty station by their supervisors or Wingmen. If they can find a level of help within their work environment, it can be stopped before it becomes severe."

Deterioration in duty performance, drastic changes in dress and appearance and isolation from co-workers are some of the early signs of suicidal tendencies, she said. Co-workers and supervisors can identify and ask about these problems to prevent suicide in its early stages.

In addition, the base has various organizations available for the Edwards community to address any issues base personnel may have.

"People can go to the Mental Health office and the chaplain," Major Quinlan said. "We can direct them to the agency that can help them overcome their stress or burden."

Many issues that cause stress are also addressed by the Airman and Family Readiness Center. They have programs including financial management courses, a deployed spouses club, anger management and community involvement programs.

"What we do at the (AFRC) is consult and inform base personnel on things that may adversely affect mission readiness," Ms. Higgins said. "We provide programs to help them to work through life issues and assist them in whatever way we can."

These agencies are designed to help all base personnel and family members with the issues that go along with daily life, she said. The rigor and stress of daily life in the military can overwhelm people. Base resources give them a place they can turn to.

"The base wants to keep everyone connected," Major Quinlan said. "We do that by helping those with problems find ways to get through them."

For more information, call the Mental Health office at 277-5291, base chaplains office at 277-2110 or the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 277-4709.