Commentary - - How to prevent suicide among airman

  • Published
  • By Chaplain (Maj.) Dwayne Keener
  • 47th Flying Training Wing
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  There is never an easy time to talk about suicide, but it is a topic we should not ignore. People often ask me how to prevent suicide, but the last time someone asked me, it caught me off guard.

As I sat enjoying my lunch in an Iraq dining facility, a soldier across the table looked me in the eye and asked, "Chaplain, what are you doing to stop suicide?" Wow . . . what a direct question.

I answered, "I'm caring for people and if necessary, I ask them if they are thinking about suicide. If they are, I tell someone who can help them."

He became irritated at my answer and told me I should never ask someone if they are thinking about suicide because it will cause them to consider suicide.

I do not know about you, but I have thought about suicide several times without anyone suggesting it to me. But if someone had asked me if I were thinking about suicide, I would have had the opportunity to talk about what ailed me. I do not mean to oversimplify, but actively showing people we care will go a long way toward preventing the act of suicide. Regardless of what a person is facing, he or she needs to know someone cares.

Not only care, but also ask the person if they are ok. In some cases you may need to ask, "Are you thinking about hurting or killing yourself?" Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem and as hard as it is to openly ask someone if they are thinking about killing themselves, it is a question worth asking.

It is frightening how viable an option suicide is for some. I have heard Airmen openly ask the question, "Would I be missed?" At every funeral or memorial service of a suicide victim I have attended, people were asking why and expressing love for the person they will never see again. If you know of someone who is struggling with life issues, let them know you care.

Capt. Julia Vanover, 47th Medical Operations Squadron Mental Health Flight, tells us we should especially watch out for folks who are experiencing depression, difficult life events and or excessive alcohol use.

When asked if thinking about suicide, if the answer is yes and especially if there is a plan, the next step is to tell someone. Call mental health at 298-6422, stop by the chapel or give us a call at 298-5111. If after duty hours call the command post at 298-5167 and ask for the on-call mental health professional or chaplain, call 911. Your first sergeant and many other professional folks care and are standing by to help.

In summary: Ask, Care & Tell. Ask "Are you ok?" Get more specific if you need to, tell someone and get the person help. Make sure the person is never left alone if they appear vulnerable to suicide. If you yourself are thinking about suicide, care for yourself, ask for help. Tell someone you are suffering. And, if you are asking the question, I will answer it for you, regardless of who you are, YES you would be missed!