Headquarters Air Mobility Command

STRAIGHT TALK: SPOUSE SUICIDE AWARENESS TRAINING

28 March 2012
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OVERVIEW

Objectives Why Is Suicide Awareness Important What to Look for Exercise: How Observant Are You? Common Misconceptions Warning Signs Know What to Do Stress and Deployments Stress Management Tools Where to Get Help Exercise: Fact or Fiction Summary Points
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OBJECTIVES

Provide a Safe Environment to Discuss Life Impacting Issues

Explore Prevention Strategies and Intervention Techniques for Adults and Teens
Prevent an Individual from Making a Permanent Solution of a Temporary Problem Educate Spouses on Signs, Symptoms, and Resources

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SUICIDE AWARENESS IS IMPORTANT

Impact of the Long Wars TEMPO: Operations, Personnel and Family Suicide Is the Eighth Leading Cause of Death in the US Each Year, More Deaths from Suicides than Homicides

Women Attempt Suicide More Often than Men, but Men Use More Lethal Methods Suicide is the Third Leading Cause of Death among Teenagers and Young Adults

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SUICIDE AWARENESS IS IMPORTANT (CONTD)

Indicators of Concern

Domestic Situations, Suicidal Gestures/Attempts, Depression, Stress

Volunteers Trained to Access Military/Local Resources Suicide Training Is Part of the Air Force Culture

Education, Recognition of Symptoms, and Treatment Are the Keys to Suicide Prevention

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SUICIDE AWARENESS IS IMPORTANT (CONTD)

Underlying Factors

Marital or Relationship Problems (89%) Financial Problems (47%) Work Problems (47%) Mental Health Issues (42%)

Factors Above Are Not Mutually Exclusive

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SUICIDE AWARENESS IS IMPORTANT (CONTD)

Protective Factors

Resiliency Optimistic Outlook Healthy Interpersonal Relationships Sense of Personal Control Competence, Problem Solving Skills and Coping Skills Flexibility in Thinking Style, Perspective, and World View Willingness to Seek Help from Others Easy Access to Resources for Help Sense of Belonging to a Group or Community Physical Health and Physical Activity

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WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Stress Is Anything That

Threatens Worries Thrills Pushes Drains (Cumulative)

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WHAT TO LOOK FOR (CONTD)

Stress Is Cumulative
Relationships

Illness Anticipation Work Education Finances You Are Here Family

Relocating

Lack of Sleep

Holidays

Diet Boredom

Loneliness Divorce In-Laws Marriage

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WHAT TO LOOK FOR (CONTD)

Muscles Tense Adrenaline Released Breath Rate Increases Eyes Dilate Blood Sugar Released Heart Rate Increases Blood Clots

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WHAT TO LOOK FOR (CONTD)

Signs of Increased Stress

General Irritability Elevated Blood Pressure Inability to Concentrate Fatigue Anxiety or Fear Grinding Teeth Insomnia Increased Sweating Headaches/Neck/Back Weight Gain or Loss Trembling

Weakness/Dizziness Increased Smoking Increased Drinking Diarrhea Indigestion Feelings of Anger Depression Changes in Work Habits Accident Prone Decline in Self-Esteem Isolationism
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WHAT TO LOOK FOR (CONTD)

Negative Coping Mechanisms

Drinking Alcohol Excessively Increased Drug Use Spending Sprees Gambling Picking Fights Driving Recklessly Excessive Risk-Taking Behaviors Isolating Self for Long Periods Overdosing on the News Unsafe Sex

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EXERCISE HOW OBSERVANT ARE YOU?

Goal: To Test Spouses Observation Skills Objective: To Help Spouses Understand and Improve Their Own Situational Awareness The Observer Shares Participants Reactions

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COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS

People Who Talk About Suicide Wont Really Do It

Fact: Almost Everyone Who Commits or Attempts Suicide Has Given Some Clue or Warning. Do Not Ignore Threats. Statements Like, They Will Be Sorry When Im Dead, or I Cant See Any Way Out, -- No Matter How Casually or Jokingly Said May Indicate Serious Suicidal Feelings

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COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS (CONTD)

Anyone Who Tries to Kill Him/Herself Must Be Crazy

Fact: Most Suicidal People Are Not Psychotic or Insane. They May Be Upset, Grief-Stricken, Depressed or Despairing, but Extreme Distress and Emotional Pain Are Not Necessarily Signs of Mental Illness

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COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS (CONTD)

If a Person Is Determined to Kill Him/Herself, Nothing Is Going to Stop Him/Her

Fact: Even the Most Severely Depressed Person Has Mixed Feelings about Death. Wavering until the Last Moment between Wanting to Live and Wanting to Die. Most Suicidal People Do Not Want Death. They Want the Pain to Stop. The Impulse to End It All, However Overpowering, Does Not Last Forever

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COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS (CONTD)

People Who Commit Suicide Are People Who Were Unwilling to Seek Help

Fact: Studies of Suicide Victims Have Shown That More than Half Had Sought Medical Help within Six Months before Their Deaths

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COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS (CONTD)

Talking about Suicide May Give Someone the Idea

Fact: You Dont Give a Suicidal Person Morbid Ideas by Talking about Suicide. Bringing Up the Subject of Suicide and Discussing It Openly Is One of the Most Helpful Things You Can Do

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WARNING SIGNS

Talking about Suicide Statements about Hopelessness, Helplessness, or Worthlessness Preoccupation with Death Suddenly Happier, Calmer Loss of Interest in Things One Cares about Visiting or Calling People One Cares about Making Arrangements

Setting One's Affairs in Order

Giving Things Away

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KNOW WHAT TO DO
Begin a Dialogue by Asking

Do You Ever Feel so Badly That You Think of Suicide? Do You Have a Plan? Do You Know When You Would Do ItToday, Next Week? Do You Have Access to What You Would Use?

Never Keep Someones Plan for Suicide a Secret Dont Try to Minimize Problems or Shame a Person into Changing Her/His Mind If You Feel the Person Isnt in Immediate Danger, Acknowledge the Pain as Legitimate and Work Together to Get Help Be Tenacious in Your Follow-Up
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KNOW WHAT TO DO (CONTD)

Take Action If You Have Concern of Imminent Suicide, Go with the Person to the Emergency Room or Life Skills Support Center

Do Not Leave Person Alone

Do Not Act Shocked at What the Person Tells You Do Not Assume the Person Will Be Okay or Isnt the Suicidal Type Do Not Judge, Be Moralistic Do Not Try to Induce Guilt or Argue Do Not Assume Threat Is a Manipulative Ploy

Person May Feel Pushed to Prove How Much They Need Help
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KNOW WHAT TO DO (CONTD)

Who to Call for Advice/Assistance/Guidance

Tell Leadership Immediately about Your Concerns Commander, First Sergeant, Supervisor The Command Post Has 24/7/365 Day Emergency Contact Information for Base Leadership and Other On/Off-Base Organizations (Security Forces, Hospitals) Off-Base Agencies/911 Hospital Emergency Room Life Skills Support Center Chaplains Airman and Family Readiness Center Family Advocacy The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK for a Crisis Center in Your Area
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STRESS AND DEPLOYMENTS

There Are Many Common Reactions to Combat Experiences Combat Reactions Usually Decrease and Normalize after Return Home For Some, These Common Reactions Persist, Even When the Combat Dangers Are No Longer Present Family Members Need to Be Aware

Deployed Personnel May Experience Maladaptive Physical, Cognitive, Emotional, or Behavioral Distress Symptoms Emotional Aftershocks May Be Experienced Weeks or Months after a Traumatic Event
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STRESS AND DEPLOYMENTS (CONTD)

Combat Reactions That Dont Shut Off Can Interfere with Job Performance, Relationships, and Ability to Enjoy Life

Strong Emotions Are Normal Reactions to an Abnormal Situation Over Time, Members Impressions and Understanding of Their Experience Will Change

The Extreme of Stress During Deployments Is Impairment

Impairment Is Anything That Significantly Interferes with a Members Ability to Do the Things He/She Needs to Do in Any Important Area of LifeWork, Home, Family, Social, or Spiritual

Impairment Is the Clearest Sign That a Normal Reaction to Deployment May Be Turning into a More Serious Problem
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STRESS AND DEPLOYMENTS (CONTD)

Understanding Stages of Deployments Will Help Family Members Prepare and Manage Separations

Before Member Departs While Member Is Gone When Member Returns

Proper Planning Reduces Family Stress

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STRESS AND DEPLOYMENTS (CONTD)

The Pre-Deployment/Deployment/Reunion Process Impact Each Family Differently

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STRESS MANAGEMENT TOOLS

Time Management Management of Self-Talk Relaxation Techniques Biofeedback Diet and Exercise Massage Problem Solving Maintain a Sense of Humor

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WHERE TO GET HELP

The Department of Veterans Affairs Compensation and Pension Benefits Service

Helps Veterans and Their Families Determine What Compensation They Are Entitled to, and How to Obtain It http://www.va.gov

American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance Program

Offers Grants and Financial Support to Families of Veterans When They Have No Other Available Resources http://www.ialegion.org/temporary_financial_assistance. htm
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WHERE TO GET HELP (CONTD)

American Legion Family Support Network

Works at Local or Post Levels to Help Families of Personnel Involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom http://www.legion.org/support

The Red Cross

Offers Assistance to Military Members on Active Duty and Their Families, as Well as Veterans http://www.americanredcross.org

The National Military Family Association

Offers a Camp to Help Children Deal with Deployment Related Stress, and Also Provides Links to Help Families Determine Their Benefits http://www.nmfa.org
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WHERE TO GET HELP (CONTD)

Iraq War Veteran

Provides Support for Veterans of the Iraq War and Their Families. The Web Site Has Links to Other Assistance and Support Organizations http://www.iraqwarveterans.org/

AMC Family Resource Guide

Hard Copy/Disk https://private.amc.af.mil/A1/template.cfm and Look Under Items of Interest

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EXERCISE: FACT OR FICTION

Goal: Remind Spouses of Myths That May Inhibit Their Ability to Help Objective: Improve Knowledge Related to Suicide, and the Impacts of Helping Agency Referrals through Small Group Discussion of Myths Small Groups to Share Wow Moments with Larger Group

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SUMMARY POINTS

Stress/Depressive Symptoms Impact Every Member Most Youth/Teens Look to Parents More Than Their Peers to Provide Guidance Suicide Is a Permanent Solution to a Temporary Problem Spouses May Not Act as Though They Are at Risk or Want Help, but You May Help Them Work Temporary Problems to Avoid the Permanent Solution Phoenix Spouse Plays Critical Role as Eyes & Ears of Unit Leadership

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