LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- More than 36,000 American's commit suicide each year and approximately 374,000 make the attempt and must be treated for their self-inflicted injuries annually, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.
This means almost as many Americans committed or attempted to commit suicide this year as people who died of cancer or heart disease.
For military members, including Airmen, suicide remains a pressing issue that affects the whole force and 2014 has seen a rise in active duty, reserve and guardsmen suicides.
In response to this, one Laughlin Airman who received help from some of the available services on base at a time when he considered harming himself, has written a letter asking everyone to seek help:
Psychological studies have confirmed that chronic stress can damage brain structure and connectivity, but how does an individual react to a traumatic, life changing and long lasting experience that causes such brain damage?
For me, it resulted in severe depression, and, what I contemplated as, a perpetual urge to take my own life. I wanted to 'not be,' because life was a futile endeavor. I believed that, no matter what, happiness and my personal goals were unattainable. The hopelessness was so strong and uncontrollable that invasive fantasies of my own non-existence permeated my consciousness, and I began to consider it logical that the only way to stop the agony of life was to stop living.
No one seemingly understood how I felt. They downplayed my condition as just a "bad attitude," or implied my illness was an excuse for an ill-mannered demeanor. My behavior and mentality became so self-destructive that I decided to reach out for professional, medical assistance. I didn't speak to a therapist or psychiatrist because I was pressured by concerned peers nor was I seeking attention. I reached out because of desperation. I wanted to stop the pain of living.
Fortunately, I had very qualified medical professionals who quickly diagnosed depression and initiated systematic psycho-therapy and prescribed a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor or SSRI, an antidepressant medication. It was an arduous process, but, with enough perseverance and time, my depression and suicide ideation subsided and I was cured. I felt liberated and able to enjoy life.
Upon retrospect, I wish I had contacted a medical professional sooner. Severe depression and suicide ideation are not issues to which the average person can assist with, relate to, or understand nor are they qualified to help with such issues.
An individual suffering depression or suicide ideation could not reasonably be expected to overcome such issues solitarily. A medical professional is necessary, and I would highly suggest anyone suffering to seek help from psychiatric professionals.
"Patients, like this Airman, are often surprised at how quickly an antidepressant works," said Maj. Melissa Gould, 47th Medical Operations Support Squadron mental health flight commander. "Many patients often say, 'Why did I wait so long?' By providing a comprehensive team approach including primary care manager, psychiatrist, therapist, psychologist or social worker; many patients learn new ways of taking care of themselves physically, mentally, socially and spiritually."
According to Gould, this combination of medical care and the principles of Comprehensive Airman Fitness in conjunction with proper medication can help individuals begin to successfully address their depression.
"Comprehensive Airman Fitness is an excellent stress and depression management model we use along with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to decrease Airmen's stress, depression, anxiety, frustration, grief and other responses to life's situations," Gould said. "Antidepressant and antianxiety medications help Airmen focus on learning and applying these treatment modalities. The American Medical Association recommends medication and therapy as the standard for treating Major Depressive Disorder. There is no reason why anyone should be suffering in silence."
Treatment for depression can be carried out without having an impact on a person's Air Force career but failing to get help will, explained Gould.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, call the mental health front desk at 298-6422 to schedule an appointment or speak with your PCM and internal behavioral health consultant in the primary care clinic about your symptoms.