Suicide Awareness And Prevention DEC07

CH(CPT) KEITH J. ANDREWS, TF-RAM UNIT MINISTRY TEAMCH(CPT) KEITH J. ANDREWS, TF-RAM UNIT MINISTRY TEAM

SUICIDE AWARENESS TRAININGSUICIDE AWARENESS TRAININGPrepared by the Office of Chief of ChaplainsPrepared by the Office of Chief of Chaplains

&&The Army G-1The Army G-1

SuicideAwareness and Prevention

CH (CPT) Keith J. Andrews

40th Engineer Battalion

“BATTERING RAMS”


SUICIDE AWARENESS TRAININGSUICIDE AWARENESS TRAINING

References• Suicide Awareness: 1972nd Medical Detachment (CSC), PowerPoint Presentation• SUICIDE AND SELF-DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR 101st Combat Aviation Brigade DCS Briefing,

PowerPoint Presentation.• DCS Suicide Prevention Briefing Installation Chaplain’s Office, 5 January 2005; CH (COL) James

Griffith, PowerPoint Presentation.• Suicide Awareness 101ST Combat Aviation Brigade DCS Briefing (Short Presentation),

PowerPoint Presentation.• Army Suicide Awareness and Prevention Every One Matters! Prepared by the Office of Chief of

Chaplains & The Army G-1. PowerPoint Presentation.• Suicide Prevention: What You Can Do! Individual Deployment Training. PowerPoint Presentation.• Army Suicide Prevention Soldiers, Leaders, Communities Saving Lives. PowerPoint

Presentation.• Suicide Prevention Proactive Approach to Suicide Prevention. PowerPoint Presentation.• HHC 2BCT, 1 AD HELLRAISERS SUICIDE AWARENESS & PREVENTION. PowerPoint

Presentation.• SUICIDE PREVENTION: A RESOURCE MANUAL FOR THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

PREPARED BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SUICIDOLOGY AND THE U. S. ARMY CENTER FOR HEALTH PROMOTION AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

• A Leader‘s Guide to Suicide Prevention. http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/dhpw/Population/combat.aspx . JAN 2007

• DA PAM 600-70: Guide to The Prevention of Suicide and Self Destructive Behavior. 1 NOV 1985.



Purpose of Training

• Understand What Suicide Is

• Recognize Warning Signs of Suicide

• How to Respond to Threats of Suicide



What is Suicide?

The act or an instance of taking one’s own life voluntarily and intentionally especially by a person of years of discretion and of sound mind

--Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary



• Suicide Ideation

• Suicide Gesture

• Suicide Attempt

• Self-inflicted death

Types of Suicidal Behavior



Myths and Facts

Myth: People who talk about suicide rarely attempt or commit suicide

Fact: Nearly 80% of those who attempt or commit suicide give some warning of their intentions



Myths and Facts

Myth: Talking to someone about their suicidal feelings will cause them to commit suicide

Fact: Asking someone about their suicidal feelings usually makes the person feel relieved that someone cares



Myths and Facts

Myth: Suicide is an act of impulse with no previous planning

Fact: Most suicides are carefully planned and thought about for weeks



Myths and FactsMyths and Facts

Myth: A person who attempts suicide will not try again

Fact: Most people who commit suicide have made previous attempts



Who Commits Suicide?Who Commits Suicide?

AnyoneAnyone



14 1316 15 16

14

10

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

CY 06 Suicides - Day Frequency



28

33

14

2

9

1 13 4

1 202468

10121416182022242628303234

PVTs SPC SGT SSG SFC MSG SGM WOs LTs CPT MAJ LTC COL GOs

CY 06 Suicides - Rank



White81%

Asian/PI2%

African American

17%

Hispanic0%

Native American

0%

CY 06 Suicides – Racial Comparison African Native

White American Hispanic Asian/PI American Confirmed 79 17 0 2 0



16

33

1610 8

15

02468

10121416182022242628303234

18-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41+

CY 06 Suicides - Age Group

Youngest: 19 (Enlisted)Oldest: 56 (Officer)

AGE CATEGORIES



Male89%

Female11%

CY 06 Suicides – Gender

Male FemaleConfirmed 87 11



Single57%

Married43%

CY 06 Suicides - Marital Status

Married Single Confirmed 42 56



Non-Deployed

61%

Deployed29%

Post-Deployed

10%

CY 06 - SuicidesDeployment Status

*

**



Who Commits Suicide?

Anyone



The Suicide Risk is Higher in a Person Who:

•Has problems with family, relationship, job, Army, finances

•Has experienced a recent suicide of a friend or relative

•Has made previous suicide attempts

•Threatens suicide



What Causes Suicide?

Suicidal Feelings are Suicidal Feelings are most often the result most often the result

of stress and of stress and depression.depression.



Stress is the body’s response to the changes

in our lives and to the threats to our safety and

our self-esteem.

Stress



Some Stressful SituationsSome Stressful Situationscan trigger suicidal can trigger suicidal

feelings:feelings:•Low Self-Esteem•Sudden Change of Behavior•Financial Problems•Inability to Sleep•Job Performance•Interpersonal Relationships



Learn Effective Relaxation Techniques

• Play Sports• Write a Letter or Diary• Take Slow Deep Breaths• Talk with Friends• Read A Book



What to do for yourself:

• Remind yourself that the way you are feeling is normal

• Take care of Physical Needs.• Focus on the mission at hand.• Stay tied I with buddies in your unit; • Seek Help.



• Know the members of your team and welcome newcomers when they arrive.

• Watch for sudden changes in behavior.• Include others in opportunities to relax;• Offer encouragement and recognition.• Ask about how they’re doing;• Seek help.

What to do for your buddies:



Depression

Depression, an abnormal emotional state, is a

profound sadness which is present nearly everyday for

at least two weeks.



Some Depressive SituationsSome Depressive SituationsThat can trigger suicidal That can trigger suicidal

feelingsfeelings• DisappointmentDisappointment

• RejectionRejection

• IllnessIllness

• Loss of relationshipLoss of relationship



How To Help Yourself if You are Depressed

• Set realistic goals and assume a reasonable amount of responsibility

• Break large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what you can as you can.

• Try to be with other people and to confide in someone; it is usually better than being alone and secretive.



How To Help Yourself if You are Depressed

• Participate in activities that may make you feel better.

• Feeling better takes time.• It is advisable to postpone important

decisions until the depression has lifted.

• People rarely “Snap out of” a depression. But they can feel a little better day-by-day.

• Let your family and friends help you.



Helping a Soldier in Distress

1. Be a good friend.2. Listen and encourage.3. Don’t criticize or argue with the

soldier’s ideas and feelings.4. Acknowledge your buddy’s grievances

against others.5. Ask questions to understand the

problem.6. Don’t give a lot of advice.7. Praise your buddy’s work.



Verbal Warning SignsDirect Statements

“I want to die.”“I don’t want to live anymore.”

Indirect Statements“I want to go to sleep and never wake

up.”“Soon this pain will be over.”



• Sadness and crying• Withdrawal • Change in sleeping

pattern• Drug & alcohol abuse • Neglecting hygiene• Final arrangements

Behavioral Warning Signs



What To Do• Take threats seriously• Tell them you care• Get help• Be Safe Rather Than Sorry



What Not To Do Don’t keep it a secret Don’t leave Soldier alone Don’t discount the soldier’s

feelings Don’t over React. Keep

Calm. Don’t forget to follow up.



•Chain of Command

•Chaplain

•Unit Sick Call

Call For Help...



CH(CPT) Keith J. Andrews40 Engineer Battalion

Unit Ministry TeamDSN 485-6550

chaplainandrews.com

Health & Medicine

Suicide Awareness And Prevention DEC07