1 / 21

Air National Guard

Air National Guard. Briefings on:. Suicide Prevention. Suicide Prevention. Overview. Personal Experience. Myths. Risk Factors. Balancing Life’s Stress. Symptoms of Risk. What To Do If You Suspect Trouble. What To Avoid Doing If You Suspect Trouble. Key Ideas. Personal Experience.

arnolddavis
Download Presentation

Air National Guard

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Air National Guard Briefings on: Suicide Prevention

  2. SuicidePrevention Overview • Personal Experience • Myths • Risk Factors • Balancing Life’s Stress • Symptoms of Risk • What To Do If You Suspect Trouble • What To Avoid Doing If You Suspect Trouble • Key Ideas

  3. Personal Experience • How many of you have had personal experience with someone who has attempted suicide? • How many of you have had personal experience with someone who has been successful in suicide? • You are welcome to share your story if you like • If, at the end of our time together, you have painful memories that have been stirred, please stay after class. Do not carry them out with you.

  4. Myths • People who commit suicide are mentally ill • Talking about suicide will put the idea into another person’s head • Good circumstances prevent suicide • People who are deeply depressed don’t have the energy to commit suicide • People who talk about suicide won’t commit suicide • People who threaten suicide, cut their wrists, or don’t succeed with other attempts are not a risk for suicide • People often commit suicide without warning

  5. Marilyn--A Case History • Married, College student, with 2 little girls, editor of school paper, editor of school annual • History of depression--but getting better • Went around campus and said “Goodbye” to every office • Called husband--talked him into coming home for lunch • Shot herself in the kitchen • Husband found her before the children came home from school

  6. Marilyn--In Hindsight 20/20 • She appeared to be Getting Better • She said “Goodbye” • She had a plan • She had the means • People didn’t ask, “Are you thinking about suicide?”

  7. Risk Factors • Relationship Difficulties • Financial Problems • Legal Problems • Inability to Cope • Family Violence • Disciplinary Actions • Poor Job Performance • Under Investigation • Alcohol and Drug Abuse

  8. Balancing the stress of Life is a difficult challenge Scale

  9. It doesn’t take a lot to throw life out of balance Scale

  10. What coping mechanisms do you find helpful in dealing with your life’s stress?

  11. Symptoms of Risk • Suicide Gestures • Pessimistic Outlook • Giving Away Items • Increased Alcohol Use • Talking About Suicide • Weeping Easily • Talking About Death • Change in Eating Habits- Weight Loss • Farewells

  12. Symptoms of Risk Continued • Drop in Performance • Increased Irritability • Loss of Sense of Humor • Social Withdrawal • Continual Sadness • Loss of Health • Feeling Hopeless/Helpless • Chronic Illness/Pain • Change in Sleeping Habits

  13. Red Flags... If someone displays a dramatic behavior or personality change it is vital for supervisors and co-workers to find out what is going on-- Always Ask the individual “Are you considering suicide?”

  14. What To Do If You Suspect Trouble When Serving on Duty Status Provide ‘AID’ • Ask “Are You Thinking About Suicide?” • Intervene immediately—Become Involved • Do Seek Help---Get Timely Advice From a Helping Professional

  15. If You Suspect The Person Is Suicidal Save Their ‘LIFE’ • Locate Help: Supervisor, First Shirt, Chapel Staff, Medical Staff, Friend • Inform Chain of Command • Find Someone to Stay with the Person • Expedite Intervention-- Get Help Immediately

  16. What To Do If You Suspect Trouble When Not Serving on Duty Status Provide ‘AID’ • Ask “Are You Thinking About Suicide?” • Intervene immediately—Become Involved • Do Seek Help---Get Timely Advice From a Helping Professional

  17. What To Do If You Suspect Trouble When Not Serving on Duty Status Save Their ‘LIFE’ • Locate Help: Crisis line, Hospital Emergency Room, Friend, Family, Police, Chaplain, Clergy • Inform Family and Individual’s Support Network • Find Someone to Stay with the Person • Expedite--Get Help Immediately

  18. What To Avoid Doing If You Suspect Trouble: Don’t • Ignore Warning Signs • Warn Against Seeking Help • Assume Minor Troubles are Unimportant • Give Advice/False Reassurance • Assume Someone is Immune from Self-harm • Advise Drug/Alcohol Use • Challenge the Individual to “Just Do It”

  19. Key Ideas • People are the Air National Guard’s greatest asset and we want to preserve their careers by helping them deal with life’s stress • Everyone is encouraged to seek help before letting their feelings get out of control • Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness • Seeking help doesn’t necessarily end one’s career—Not seeking help when needed will end a career

  20. Issues of Confidentiality The Chaplain can be a tremendous source of help and support by offering confidentiality to you when talking about personal issues.

  21. This Concludes the Presentation on Suicide Prevention Do You Have Any Questions?

More Related