ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Adam Shane, 79th Medical Operations Squadron suicide prevention specialist, and Connie Moore, 113th Wing DC Air National Guard family program coordinator and an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training instructor, provide Team Andrews with the resources, awareness and education needed to help prevent suicides among members of the military, civilians and their families.
"Suicide is the second leading cause of death among active duty Air Force members," said Mr. Shane. "It is preventable and that is why the suicide prevention program is important. We are asking everyone to learn a little so we know enough to intervene." Suicide deaths are second only to unintentional injury.
The Air Force Suicide Prevention Program's mission is to decrease the number and rate of suicides, promote a community approach to suicide prevention, provide assistance and guidance, identify situations contributing to the incidence of suicide and develop a response to reduce the impact of these factors. "As part of my responsibilities running the suicide prevention program at Andrews, I track the compliance within units on base and provide training for base-wide briefings. I also train folks on base how to be suicide prevention briefers," said Mr. Shane. "Suicide prevention training is required for all active duty members every 20 months. The instruction is approximately one hour of training on the signs, symptoms and interventions that can be used when an individual is concerned that someone might be suicidal. There is also a component of the training that addresses the stigma attached to suicide and how that prevents some people from acting."
Mrs. Moore said the ASIST program differs from AFSPP in that "prevention classes take the topic of suicide out of the closet and into the front of a classroom--it educates and informs and brings awareness. The ASIST Intervention class is the next logical step by putting into practice a clearly defined process to break the cycle of suicidal behaviors." Mrs. Moore said "suicide intervention goes one step further than suicide prevention toward ensuring the safety of someone who is thinking about taking their life. We teach people how to ask the question and what to do when they get an answer that affirms the individual is having thoughts of suicide." For those who participate in the ASIST program, "the class literally walks participants through the caregiver's role by establishing rapport, asking the question, learning about the reasons for dying, and how to turn the reasons for dying into reasons for living."
Mr. Shane notes an overall reduction in suicides in the Air Force with the implementation of AFSPP. Suicides are down 28 percent since the implementation of the program in 1996." The Air Force has the lowest average suicide rate over the last five years among all military services.
According to the AFSPP website, one of suicide's risk factors is social isolation. The website further explains how the military community is not immune to such factors and that creates unique situations for military families. "During periods of high OPSTEMPO, airmen and their families may face a wide array of both old and new challenges. Increased deployments may also impact military communities, producing community cohesion and increased support, or conversely, increased isolation for members and their families."
The highest suicide risk category in the Air Force is "white males, age 25-34, and no longer married." The top two risk factors are relationship issues followed by legal problems. Mr. Shane said "According to a 2006 memorandum by Lt. Gen. Arthur Lichte, then assistant vice chief of staff of the Air Force and director of Air Force staff, in calendar year 2005, 52 percent of suicide victims were facing serious legal or disciplinary proceedings at the time of their death." Mr. Shane added that other personal issues seen in suicide victims were relationship issues, mental health issues, work problems, and financial issues.
It is Mr. Shane's goal that Team Andrews be aware of the suicide prevention training he offers base wide at least three times per month. "The active duty and civilians who attend my briefing will hopefully be made aware of the stigma attached to suicide and how it plays a role in someone being able to complete suicide," said Mr. Shane. His suicide prevention briefings also strongly encourage participants to act when there is any concern that someone is suicidal. Briefings are held Wednesday, at 2:00 p.m. in building 1075, classroom B/C and again Thursday, at 10:00 a.m. at the same building in room A/B.
Mrs. Moore emphasizes that "everyone, even teens over age 16, can participate in the ASIST program. We highly encourage supervisors to attend--whether civilian or military." Mrs. Moore said "this isn't a 'military' course--it's for people who want to make a positive difference in the lives of others including loved ones, co workers, employees, friends or even strangers." The next ASIST training session is Wednesday and Thursday. The other session will be November 15 and 16. ASIST classes are located in building 3252 in the 113th Wing auditorium, located on the east side of the base directly across from hangar 14.
For more information regarding the suicide prevention program, visit the Air Force Suicide Prevention Program website at http://afspp.afms.mil.