Awareness key to suicide prevention

  • Published
  • By Frank McIntyre
  • 71st Flying Training Week Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Suicide is preventable and recognizing a problem is the first step to getting help. Suicide Prevention Week, Sunday through Sept. 15, serves to remind service members and their families that help is available as close as a home computer or telephone with the Mental Health Self-Assessment Program.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among Americans between the ages of 15-24 and the second leading cause of death among those between the ages of 25-34. It is often the result of untreated depression and other mental health disorders. Ninety percent of suicides in the U.S. are associated with depression or another treatable mental illness or substance abuse disorder.

MHSAP provides more than 1.5 million military families in all branches, including the National Guard and Reserve, the opportunity to take anonymous online and telephone mental health self-assessments for depression and other related disorders. Designed to help identify symptoms and access assistance before a problem becomes serious, available tests address depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use.

The free, anonymous mental health self-assessment is available throughout the entire year, not just during Suicide Prevention Week at www.MilitaryMentalHealth.org or 1-877-877-3647.

After an individual completes a self-assessment, he or she is provided with referral information including services provided through the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs. The program is part of the DoD continuum of care fully funded by Force Health Protection and Readiness, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Health Affairs.

Facts about suicide:
- 70 percent of people who die by suicide tell someone about it in advance, and most are not in treatment.
- Those who have made serious attempts are at much higher risk for actually taking their lives. Between 20 and 40 percent of people who die by suicide have previously attempted suicide.
- Nearly 50 percent of suicide victims have a positive blood alcohol level.
- Although most depressed people are not suicidal, most suicidal people are depressed.

People who are considering harming themselves may try to reach out - sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly. Be especially alert for warning signs, for example:

- Talking about suicide or death
- Giving direct verbal cues, such as "I wish I were dead" and "I'm going to end it all"
- Giving less direct verbal cues, such as "What's the point of living?" and "You'd be better off without me"
- Isolating him- or herself from friends and family
- Expressing the belief that life is meaningless or hopeless
- Giving away cherished possessions
- Exhibiting a sudden and unexplained improvement in mood after being depressed or withdrawn
- Neglecting his or her appearance and hygiene

In addition to the DoD's MHSAP, the Air Force has emphasized a community approach to the issue. According to Tech. Sgt. Charles Griffis, NCO in charge of the Vance AFB Life Skills Support Center, most Air Force suicides/suicide attempts are made by individuals who are not receiving mental health therapy.

"Friends, co-workers and supervisors are likely to be the first to notice behavioral changes," Sergeant Griffis said, "making it important for all of us to recognize the warning signs of suicide.

"The AF Suicide Prevention briefing is an excellent tool that can educate us on suicide warning signs and referral agencies," he said. "The briefing is a 20-month requirement for all Air Force employees, unless there is a collective bargaining agreement that precludes attendance."

Briefings are offered at 10 a.m. the third Wednesday of each month in the base theater. They are also available by request for Commander's calls or other large gatherings by calling Mental Health at 7419.

(MHSAP information provided by Screening for Mental Health, Inc.)