Commentary - Even one suicide is too many

News > Commentary - Even one suicide is too many

Even one suicide is too many

Posted 11/4/2010

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Commentary by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy
Headquarters, United States Air Force

11/4/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- An alarming trend is happening in the Air Force, and we need your help. We've had a drastic increase this year in the number of suicides among total force Airmen -- active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilians.

Last year we lost 84 Airmen by suicides; this year, we've nearly reached that number, and it is only October.

Even one suicide is too many!

We all take Suicide Awareness training, but that's just the first step. We must take immediate action and get involved. We need to look out for each other and understand that we're not alone. Be ready and willing to assist your Wingman, and ask for help when you need it.

We must all take the time to care about those around us. That's what good Wingmen do, and that's what our Air Force needs.

Supervisors at every level must act now. Get to know your Airmen better and understand their personal and professional challenges. This is not a time to sit idle and think this won't happen in your unit. No one is immune.

Suicides range the spectrum of ages, locations, major commands and career fields.

The two most common factors we've seen are problems with relationships and finances.

We need to be good Wingmen for others, and also need to develop and maintain trusted relationships and friendships where we can talk openly and honestly about things happening in our own lives. We need to feel comfortable exchanging ideas, views and experiences with those who are closest to us. There is always someone available for you.

So many people care about you -- more than you may think. Family, friends, co-workers, supervisors, first sergeants, commanders, chaplains, medical professionals and senior leaders are ready and willing to listen and help. Just give them a chance.

Don't ever think you are alone or that no one will understand.

We will understand, and we will help you.

It doesn't matter whether you write, call or e-mail, please reach out. We are an Air Force family and you mean a lot to all of us. If you feel you are at the end of your road, you are not. Talk with someone. We care about you and will ensure you receive the help you need.

You should never be afraid of seeking help for fear of reprisal. Our lives should be the priority.

The Air Force also has many resources to help.

Military and family life consultants, chaplains and medical professionals are all available. Also, Military One Source counselors are always available by calling 800-342-9647 or visiting their website at www.militaryonesource.com.

With everyone's help, we can and must step up and reverse this devastating trend.

Comments

11/9/2010 9:47:15 AM ET
During my first enlistment I went through one of the worst times of my life. Things were so bad it would have been most welcome to just let go and end it all. I even tried once in a really wimpy girl kind of way. The one thing that made a difference in my life was one NCO in my squadron who truly saw me and said to my supervisors 'That kid is in trouble. Let me be in charge of her.' They did - even took me out of my duty section to go work for him. Today I'm an NCO and a woman who truly loves her life. I don't think the problem today is a lack of education. I think it's a lack of intervention. We're too afraid to stick our noses in other people's business. We accept the 'quiet kid' as being okay when maybe he's not. I'm not an Air Force statistic but one man made a difference in my life and I don't even think he ever knew quite how much. The evidence of our failures is quite clear but our successes may never be counted.

mom4life, Texas

11/8/2010 4:46:10 PM ET
There are simply a lot of stressors in our lives right now on top of the normal ones that most people experience in the course of life like marriage and relationship issues or financial worries. None of those can be removed by any organizational program. And until this war dies down the ops tempo will continue to be a common denominator all or most of us will face.The key with all suicide prevention communication in my opinion is to realize your audience. Don't target your message to someone out there already suicidal because I guarantee that person isn't reading articles on AF Link or watching prevention videos or taking CBTs. They can only be helped through direct and personal intervention if that. All of us who are not currently going down that path need to solidify what the officials like to call our pillars of strength. Build up our support networks and positive relationships like someone on the gulf coast might shore up their home. Because a hurricane may come.

Rev, Hawaii

11/8/2010 11:45:55 AM ET
The 800lb elephant in the room seems to be that we've developed a culture that does not instill resilience coping and lacks a certain resistance to setbacks - there's a real plastic bubble effect in our culture that when we bring airmen - officer and enlisted - in, they're very unprepared for adversity of any kind. I think the problem is bigger, deeper and more pervasive than any service or department-led program is going to be able to fix. We'll be treating symptoms not the disease.

Maj D, DC

11/6/2010 8:09:33 AM ET
My point is that we seem to treat suicidal people as weak, selfish, or bad somehow. Once they are gone everyone seems to blame the victim to make themselves feel better. The truth is that someone who takes control and makes that decision shouldn't be looked down on. I have and will continue to help suicidal troops to the extent that they are willing to accept help. Having seen suicide and attempts first hand, I can say that I wouldn't do it but I don't look down on those who do.

TSgt M., D.C.

11/5/2010 10:11:16 PM ET
Every suicide I have encountered or had to deal with indirectly, including a recent one in the unit, there have never been any signs. The commander even stated at the commander's call that said individual did not give any sign - then went into an extensive briefing on how to prevent suicides. We all know how to pick up on the signs of distress. Another briefing, computer-based training program, or memo added to the 493 we already get every week is not going to help. Relating to a recent one, we had three commander's calls from 3 different commanders in one day - overbearing knee-jerk reactions. As long as we are all human there will be suicides, DUI's, drug users, no seat belts, etc. We have so many briefings, memos, CBTs, etc now that they are all useless and do nothing. Fewer of a higher quality would be more beneficial. Right now we do not listen, we do not read, and we just click through the CBT's. These types of memos do nothing but cause annoyance on top of an already str

SSgt V, USAF

11/5/2010 5:10:50 PM ET
TSgt DC and MSgt Potvin I feel sorry for any Airmen under your supervision. The 'why' can be treated, the successful act cannot. It is the responsibility of all Airmen to prevent this horrible tragedy form happening to one more person in our force. 90 percent of all people who attempt suicide suffer from a diagnosed or undiagnosed mental illness. That fact doesn't make the Airman less worthy of your time and attention. It doesn't make the Airman 'defective' or a waste of your time. It makes the Airman human and worthy of your best efforts as a wingman to guide them to safety. Your statement leads me to believe you've no idea of the complete and total devastation that a death by suicide leaves in its wake. You've never had to tell an 8 year old child, his mother is dead. You've never witnessed what happens in a family when someone takes his or her life. I've walked this road when my wife took her life in 2004.

SMSgt Brazones retired, San Antonio TX

11/5/2010 8:14:33 AM ET
I am absolutely floored by the comments posted here. MSgt Potvin regardless of whether you think the stressors that lead someone to make the decision to end their life make sense they are real and valid to the individual making that decision. As a SNCO our job is to help our people all our people not just the ones you think have valid sensible reasons to be stressed. We do not pass judgment or decide that person is making excuses we help. TSgt M would you really stand by and let someone commit suicide over a problem that could be fixed i.e. finances relationships stress When someone gets to the point of committing suicide more often than not it's because they can't see their problems objectively and find a way out of the issues that led them to that decision in the first place. That's why we all need to be aware when our fellow Airmen need help.

MSgt Lori Mailloux, Misawa AB Japan

11/4/2010 9:26:04 AM ET
Work hard, play hard. Seems we don't do that anymore. EVERYTHING is priority one and an explosion.

DM, Colorado Springs CO

11/4/2010 8:54:06 AM ET
MSgt Potvin - there are plenty of people out here that are stressed over a number of things and they do need counseling, but most people are too embarassed for fear of reprisal to say anything and typically sense leadership truly doesn't care. Look at your own words. If you don't want to pass your PT test then just fail a few of them and the Air Force will take care of the problem. That doesn't exactly promote the idea that every Airman is valued or worthy.

TSgt JB, The Rock

11/3/2010 9:33:31 PM ET
@MSgt Potvin - The PT test can in fact be stressful. Not everyone is blessed with a 30 waist or the capability to run distances. The fact that I'm good at pushups and situps only accounts for 20 percent of my score. I was never a good runner and probably never will be - I have yet to get under 12:30 on the run time and I run DAILY. Now that EPRs and promotions and by extension decorations for PCS are all tied into how good you do on the PT test, I can understand when someone is stressed out over it. Especially now with civilian testers who might as well be guaging pushups with a protracter...it's ridiculous. To simply blow off the idea that PT isn't a stressor is exactly as PB said - showcasing that leadership doesn't want to listen.

TSgt S, SJAFB

11/3/2010 4:07:31 PM ET
One of the drivers is stress no matter what the cause of that stress might be. Airmen need to be aware of this and also be aware in the military there is going to be very high levels of stress. The answer isn't to do away with stress it is to a better job of providing means for Airmen to deal with stress. Part of this is for senior leaders to create a culture that understands this and build the trust necessary for Airmen to take advantage of these opportunities to learn to deal with stress. Currently Airmen generally don't trust senior leaders to allow them to seek help without suffering an end to their career. Leaders at all levels need to show they can be trusted. Without that no suicide prevention program will succeed.

Jerry , Oklahoma

11/3/2010 3:58:25 PM ET
How about looking at how medication is handed out for PTSD and other psychological issues. I was on several medications for 4 yrs and can say without a doubt that my thoughts of suicide were directly related to the medication. I finally stopped taking them and the thoughts went away. The AF really needs to take an in-depth look at what these cocktails cause.

MD, Europe

11/3/2010 2:42:15 PM ET
I realize suicide leaves a huge mess for all those left behind, but it's a personal choice for the person who does it. We can help people out where we can and we can villainize the act of suicide. In the end if someone wants to take their self out that is their right as a human being and no one should be allowed to stop them.

TSgt M., D.C.

11/3/2010 2:22:43 PM ET
SSgt B Stress is a part of life and life is not easy. However it is how you manage and deal with stress that defines you as a person. You cannot go around blaming this that or the other for failures in life. The problem with depression and other mental disorders is some people have a difficult time managing and finding a balance dealing with stress. This is where external intervention is key getting these individuals the help they so desperately need before going down the wrong path and committing the final act. Granted we will never absolutely prevent all suicides but if we can make a difference in just one persons life then were on the right track.

Steve, Tampa

11/3/2010 2:19:14 PM ET
PB All of the other issues don't really make sense to me either. The first 4 years I was in the Air Force I was in a deployed unit and all we did was rotate back and forth from the desert to the US. Most of us spent more than half of our tours in a deployed environment. We had one suicide during that time and it was not attributed to anything related to the high ops tempo. My point is that there are a lot of people making excuses for not wanting to try harder or just not wanting to do something they're told to do. If someone doesn't want to deploy then don't re-enlist. If you don't want to pass your PT test then just fail a few of them and the Air Force will take care of the problem. I'd rather be surrounded by people who are willing to go the extra mile to do what's required of them than to work around a bunch of people who sit around and make excuses for why they think something is pointless.

MSgt Brian Potvin, Laughlin AFB TX

11/3/2010 11:51:19 AM ET
MSgt Potvin thank you for demonstrating that senior NCOs who don't listen are ALSO part of the problem. SSgt B listed higher ops tempo more deployments etc. along with the new PT test as stressors that might be causing an uptick in suicides. But rather than consider all of the factors listed you decided you'd rather make a point about the new PT test.

PB, US

11/3/2010 10:25:05 AM ET
SSgt B It really sounds like a pitiful excuse that you think the new PT standards are driving the increase in suicides. Are you kidding me If someone is that stressed out about their PT test then they need counseling on how these new PT standards are meant to encourage a LIFESTYLE change towards healthier habits. Gone are the days when you can go once a year and run as fast as you can without falling over dead on the track. If you're THAT stressed out about your PT test then start training NOW...and if you still can't handle the stress then your SNCO's need to be getting you into some stress management classes in the Mental Health Clinic on your base. MSgt Brian Potvin

MSgt Brian Potvin, Laughlin AFB TX

11/2/2010 5:20:52 PM ET
Excellent article Chief. However I attribute to many of these suicides for the following reasons New PT test OPS Tempo has increased more deployments etc. Sometimes everyone can do all they can do but it still doesn't work. If people are going to go through with their plan then there is almost nothing you can do.

SSgt B, Somewhere

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