Suicide Awareness: Get involved Published March 22, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Connie L. Bias 92nd ARW Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Research shows that with one question, you can save a life. You don't have to administer medical treatment or travel to a combat zone - you just need to ask a question. The question: Are you thinking of hurting yourself? Air Force servicemembers attend a mandatory Suicide and Violence Awareness Training briefing every 20 months which stresses the importance of asking this direct question if we believe a person is suicidal. But how easy is it to take the necessary step and actually ask? "People can be uncomfortable with asking questions about suicide and depression, but it is crucial," said Captain (Dr.) Lisa Selthon, Life Skills Support Center element chief and clinical psychologist. "Find a way to ask that you're comfortable with. You can open the conversation with, 'How are you dealing with your situation?' or 'Is there anything I can do to help?' and lead up to asking, 'Have you had any thoughts of hurting yourself?' or 'Are you having thoughts about suicide?'" In fact, the Air Force Suicide Prevention Program, initiated in 1996, focuses on such community and leadership prevention and involvement. The program's initial vision statement included three facets: community responsibility, leadership involvement and the affirmation and encouragement of early intervention. And it's working - since the program's inception, the Air Force suicide rate has declined 28 percent. Captain Selthon attended the 2007 Department of Defense Suicide Prevention Conference in early March, and said this focus on community prevention has only gotten stronger. "Some of the lessons learned from the '05-'06 year are: the best defense against suicide is to know our own people, we need to be asking questions, and we need to ask people specifically about suicide," she said. "Across the DoD, when you compare suicide rates to that of the civilian sector, we're usually about 50 percent lower. I really think that has to do with community prevention - being more aware of the signs, being good Wingmen and looking out for each other." Those signs often include noticeable changes in a depressed person's life, though we need to be attentive to notice and react to them. "Typically there will be a change in behavior," said Captain Selthon. "Perhaps a person is coming in late to work and their clothes are disheveled. Maybe they haven't been sleeping well, have lost some weight or can't concentrate. These are some signs telling you to ask if they're feeling okay, or to suggest they talk with someone about what's going on. "Then, if the person is saying they're suicidal, don't leave them alone," she said. "You do need to get them help, but you also need to make sure they're safe. Talk to them about available services and, if possible, accompany the person to a helping organization like the Life Skills Support Center or the chapel. If you have to leave to get assistance, call someone else to stay with the individual until you can get help." And what if you are the person who is feeling depressed or contemplating suicide? "It can be difficult to pick up the phone and ask for help, and sometimes it's scary to call someone you don't know, but you need to tell somebody," the captain said. "You're probably not thinking at your clearest when you're at such a low point; talking to someone, even if it's just going over available options for assistance, can help." She added that Military One Source*, a comprehensive online and phone help-source for military families, is available 24/7 and offers counseling services. Through Military One Source, military members can receive six free sessions with a licensed counselor, and services are available in multiple languages. Specific risk factors for suicide are: relationship problems; financial, administrative and legal problems; operational stressors; and association with alcohol use. As a military community, we should take particular notice of people having trouble in these areas, and strive to offer people "protective factors," said Captain Selthon. "Protective factors include social support; a sense of belonging, whether that be in the community, at church, in the family, etc.; unit cohesion; access to assistance; a healthy lifestyle, which includes physical fitness and a minimal intake of alcohol; and existential and chaplain support," she said. A memorandum recently signed by Col. Scott Hanson, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, will increase the community prevention effort. In accordance with an upcoming Air Force Instruction change, unit members will be appointed and trained to lead Suicide and Violence Awareness Training briefings for their units, increasing the number of base personnel who are up-to-date on prevention information, said Captain Selthon. "This is a positive change," she said. "We are a family; we have to be there to protect each other," she said, adding once again that it's all about saving lives. Editor's note: This story is the first in a four-part series on suicide awareness and prevention. Next week's story will focus on signs of depression; subsequent weeks will cover relationship issues in regard to depression and suicide, and alcohol and drug use. * You can access Military One Source at militaryonesource.com or by calling 1-800-342-9647.