Suicide is everyone's problem, prevention is everyone's responsibility Published Aug. 26, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Alesia D. Goosic 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Commanders, first sergeants, flight surgeons, mental health technicians, chaplains and many other Airmen are dying needlessly, not because of roadside bombs, mortar attacks or enemy fire, but because of suicide. Suicide is an issue in every branch of service, every job and every rank and it's everyone's responsibility to prevent it, say officials. "No one is immune to suicide," said 18th Wing Chaplain Col. Pat McCain. Some people have the common misperception that suicide is an Airman' s problem, a problem among young people, people living in the dorms, people in a career field with a high ops tempo, or people who recently returned from deployment. The reality is that although young enlisted males are more likely to commit suicide than other service members, they are not the only ones at risk. According to mental health officials, there is no certain "type" of person who commits suicide. Everyone has problems and struggles at some point in their lives and anyone can become overwhelmed. "A lot of people don't realize that it's not uncommon to be really discouraged or really feel isolated or alone or even have suicidal thoughts," the chaplain said. The chaplain explained that this does not mean that everyone will commit suicide when times get tough, but it's important to recognize when you or someone else is in trouble or may be contemplating suicide. Some warning signs to look for include: - Unusual or sudden changes in behavior - Decreased work performance - Disciplinary problems - Financial problems - Accidents or deaths of loved ones - Relationship difficulties at work or at home - Alcohol or drug misuse - Withdrawal from family, friends or activities - Depression, feelings of hopelessness or thoughts of suicide. "You should look for sudden changes in behavior that don't seem like that person," said Maj. Kathleen Crimmins, 18th Wing mental health flight commander. "We would hope that Airmen can recognize when they're having problems or if a friend or colleague is having problems." Chaplain McCain believes an important key in suicide prevention is building relationships. "I personally think that the best suicide prevention is being connected with people," he said, "where people know that they can turn to someone for help and they won't be ashamed to reach out. Very few people would commit suicide if they realized they weren't alone in their struggles." "We share a life together here," the chaplain said. "Not only do we share the mission, but we share a life." Being a good wingman is essential in suicide prevention. "Things are busy here and we have a high ops tempo," Major Crimmins said. "But walking around and seeing how your people are doing is really important." If you do find yourself in a situation where you think your wingman may be having suicidal thoughts, it's important to ask the tough questions. Major Crimmins said that many people are uncomfortable asking their friends, family or coworkers if they're having suicidal thoughts, but it's necessary to let the individual know you are there for them and you aren't scared away by their problems. Just ask the question: "Are you thinking about killing yourself?" "You're not going to give them the idea," Major Crimmins said. "And, if anything, you're going to give them permission to talk about it if they have had the thought. Suicide is still a pretty taboo subject in our culture and if you go ahead and ask the question then the person is going to know that you're not afraid to hear their response." If someone reveals they are suicidal, take it seriously and seek help. "When people have thoughts about taking their lives," Chaplain McCain said, "they really need professional counseling. It's not a secret that you can keep." Whether you yourself are contemplating suicide or you're consoling a wingman in trouble, both Chaplain McCain and Major Crimmins offer the same advice: reach out for help. "No one who's ever come to me when they were considering suicide has ever said no when I offered to get them help," the chaplain said. "They were all very grateful for the help." Two on-base agencies uniquely equipped to help are the chapel and mental health. Base chaplains offer a listening ear and complete confidentiality. "People usually come to us because they are reaching out for help," Chaplain McCain said. "And they're not sure sometimes where to turn to for help and so we become a bridge, not only a listening ear but a bridge to help them connect with resources that could be very helpful to them." One such resource is mental health. Mental health professionals provide counseling in hopes of rehabilitating the individual and returning them to duty. Chaplain McCain said although there are resources available to help our Airmen in trouble, ideally we'd like to prevent them from getting to the point where they feel so alone and overwhelmed. "It's important that we pay attention to our troops and we know what's going on in people's lives and we are there to support them," he said. "We're a family and we've got to live like it." So far this year seven Airmen have been killed in Afghanistan, in the same period more than 25 Airmen have died by their own hands. Body armor, Kevlar and armored vehicles cannot protect our Airmen from suicide ... but being a good wingman can.