Suicide-prevention

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

OVERVIEW 1. GOAL 2. STATISTICS 3. FACTS AND MYTHS 4. PRECIPITATING EVENTS 5. WARNING SIGNS 6. 7 STEPS OF PREVENTION 7. SUMMARY 8. CONCLUSION

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

SUICIDE PREVENTION GOAL DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS WHOSE EMOTIONAL CONDITION PLACES THEM AT RISK FOR SELF-INJURY

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

COMMANDER’S RESPONSIBILITY

AR 600-63 PARA 1-21. COMMANDERS AT ALL LEVELS WILL INITIATE PROACTIVE MEASURES TO PREVENT LOSS OF LIFE WITHIN THEIR UNIT DUE TO SUICIDE AND TO REDUCE THE IMPACT ON SURVIVORS IF A SUICIDE TAKES PLACE.. PARA 2-8. SUICIDE PREVENTION IS THE CONCERN OF EVERY LEADER, COMMANDER, SUPERVISOR, SOLDIER, AND ARMY CIVILIAN

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

WHAT ARE WE DOING? 

SOLDIER TRAINING AT ALL TRADOC INSTALLATIONS



INTERVENTION TEAMS CONSISTING OF DRUG & ALCOHOL, FAMILY ADVOCACY, PROVOST MARSHALL, SAFETY, MENTAL HEALTH, CHAPLAINS

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

STATISTICS

• 32,000 SUICIDES PER YEAR IN THE U.S.

• SUICIDES BY METHOD: GUNSHOT 75% HANGING 17 OTHER

• “TYPICAL” ARMY SUICIDE IN 1998 WAS A WHITE MALE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 20 AND 25 YRS OF AGE (MAJORITY E-1 THRU E-7)

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

ARMY SUICIDES (Past 10 Years)

1991 -102

1996 – 68

1992 – 87

1997 – 56

1993 – 90

1998 – 62

1994 – 88

1999 – 65

1995 – 78

2000 - 64

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

FACT OR FICTION? • Suicide Is Impulsive and without Warning • Once Suicidal Always Suicidal • A Person Who Attempts Won’t Try Again. • Suicidal Persons are Mentally Ill • Holiday Season Has The Highest Suicide Rate. • Suicidal people are fully intent on Dying • Circumstances affect Emotional

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS Weak Emotional Support System Domestic Difficulties Job/ School Pressure Drug Or Alcohol Abuse Economic Distress

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

DEPRESSION

Depression is a mood disorder that feature Withdrawal, Loss of Pleasure, Feelings of Sadness, and Physical Discomfort. Symptoms: Neglect of Appearance Loss of appetite/weight gain Poor concentration/memory Emotional Flatness Psychosomatic Illness Mood Swings Withdrawal

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

TRIGGERING EVENTS Job Termination o Breakup o UCMJ o Loss from Death o Imprisonment o

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

PRIMARY WARNING SIGNS • HOPELESSNESS

• • • • • • • • •

HELPLESSNESS WORTHLESSNESS NEGLECT OF PERSON WITHDRAWN MOOD SWINGS EMOTIONAL PAIN FRUSTRATION PHYSICAL COMPLAINTS CONSTRICTION OF OPTIONS

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

VERBAL WARNINGS I’m Going To Kill Myself! I’d Be Better Off Dead! I Just Can’t Go On Any Longer! You Won’t Be Seeing Me Any Longer! I’m Checking Out Of Here! I Just Want To Get Rid Of The Pain!

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

7 STEPS FOR PREVENTION 1. ASK IF ANYTHING IS WRONG 2. TAKE THREATS SERIOUSLY 3. CONFRONT THE PROBLEM AND BE DIRECT 4. OFFER SUPPORT 5. DON’T LEAVE THEM ALONE 6. REMOVE LETHAL WEAPONS 7. GET PROFESSIONAL HELP

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

When assessing the risk, look for the relationship between

Danger and Rescue A high level of danger and a small opportunity for rescue makes a threat a High Risk Event

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

STOP - LOOK- LISTEN

LISTEN ! n e ! LIST ist EN! & L & Listen ! N ! TE S I L ! N E T S LI

LISTEN! LISTEN! & listen! LIS TEN ! LI STE N! &

list en!

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

SUMMARY 1. GOAL 2. STATISTICS 3. FACTS AND MYTHS 4. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS 5. DEPRESSION 6. TRIGGERING EVENTS 7. WARNING SIGNS 8. 7 STEPS

SP

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

QUESTION

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

CONCLUSION

YOU CAN PREVENT SUICIDES