Awareness, wingmen key to suicide prevention Published Sept. 11, 2012 By Staff Sgt. Fred Gallop 18th Medical Operations Squadron KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- While every day is a good day to focus on suicide prevention, September is the month that has been identified as National Suicide Prevention Month. During this month health professionals take extra steps to raise awareness and highlight services that can help individuals who are having thoughts of self-harm. According to mental health service professionals, there is not a specific type of individual who dies by suicide, as challenges in life are not person-specific. Challenges affect us all differently. One common misconception is that suicide is an E1-E4 problem and that higher ranks are "immune" to. It has also often been misconceived to be a dorm problem or a specific Air Force Specialty Code problem. While it is true that some demographics and career fields have higher levels of suicide than others, this does not mean that other individuals are fully in-the-clear. These individuals need to be just as knowledgeable about suicide prevention as all others. On a personal level, there are many things individuals can do to decrease the likelihood of moods associated with suicide. For example, in the high operations tempo of the Air Force, many individuals neglect to take care of themselves physically, emotional, spiritually, and socially. Some examples of good self-care can be exercising regularly, taking up or continuing hobbies, being actively in spiritual or religious groups, having a supportive group of friends, eating healthy, and staying in frequent communication with loved ones. Additionally, it is very important for individuals to vocalize when they are having difficulties emotionally. Just as an individual can take steps to prevent suicide in their own life, we as an Air Force family are responsible for each other as well. "We have to create a culture where it is easy to talk to one another about the issues that are facing us," said Capt. Joel Cartier of the Family Advocacy Program. "This is done by personal interaction and getting to know the individuals that you associate with. The negative stigma associated with asking for help needs to be removed so that we can really see into the heart of a person and help them through the challenges that they are facing." Knowing the people that you associate with is vitally important. Once you know individuals on a deeper level, you are able to spot signs of trouble. For example, events such as sudden changes of behavior, disciplinary problems, changes in alcohol use patterns, becoming withdrawn, depression, feelings of hopelessness, and financial problems are more easily identified and addressed. Staff Sgt. David Brandon, NCOIC of Kadena's Alcohol/Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program describes the following experience while briefing FTAC students: "During one of my last briefings, I asked the class if they knew anyone who had died by suicide and over half the class raised their hands. Fortunately, many in the group also knew individuals who had appropriately sought help and were still alive to tell their story. It was disheartening to see how many lives have been touched by suicide, but relieving to see individuals becoming more comfortable with the idea of seeking help." As the Air Force continues to tackle the topic of suicide, prevention programs will come and go but one factor will remain the same: Airmen at all levels will be the single most important factor in preventing suicide. Helping agencies on Kadena include: Chaplains: 634-1888 Mental Health Clinic: 630-4817, Option 2, Option 2 Alcohol/Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment: 630-4817, Option 2, Option 2 Family Advocacy Program: 634-0433 Military and Family Life Consultants: 634-3915 or 634-4451 FOCUS Program: 645-6077