Suicide prevention inherent to all Airmen

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Air Force reported that 84 Airmen - active duty, guard and reserve - successfully committed suicide in 2009. As Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy said in a commentary Nov. 2, "even one suicide is too many."

With just two months left in 2010, 1st Lt. Casey Ruiz, a licensed clinical social worker at the 82nd Medical Group, said the number of completed suicides in the total force has almost eclipsed last year's numbers. Eighty-two Airmen, as of mid-October, have committed suicide.

To help spread the word about suicide prevention and awareness, Sheppard is participating in the "Out of the Darkness" walk Nov. 6 at Lucy Park in Wichita Falls, Texas. Lieutenant Ruiz said proceeds from the walk go to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The lieutenant said it's difficult to say what drives numbers up or down from month to month regarding the amount of suicides. But, he said there are some common factors.

"Some of the key factors include relationships, finances, legal problems and substance abuse," he said. "Military-specific factors include deployments, separation from families, high operations tempo and stress reactions to traumatic events."

Many people contemplating suicide have a sense of hopelessness or that theirs isn't a better way to deal with their situation, Lieutenant Ruiz said. But, he said there are resources to help.

"There is ample help available," he said. "There are always solutions."

The mental health clinic at the 82nd MDG is always a starting point for those seeking help. The 82nd Chapel Division is also a resource available.

But perhaps the best resource available, Lieutenant Ruiz said, are those who work with individuals trying to work through tough times.

"Everyone who is in distress and is in the Air Force goes to work," he said. "They work around people who see them and talk to them."

As part of the Wingman Concept, he said the responsibility to intervene is inherent upon every Airman. He said it's important for people not to assume that someone showing symptoms of distress are OK or will work out the issue.

The main thing, the lieutenant said, is to get the person help.

"We treat all active duty. We'll see anybody. Permanent party. (Airmen in Training)," Lieutenant Ruiz said. "Even those who aren't active duty, if they are going through a crisis, we can help them and refer them to other resources."

For those needing help, call the mental health clinic at (940) 676-6075, the chapel at (940) 676-4370, Military One Source at (800) 342-9647 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.