Suicide prevention: detecting the warning signs Published July 28, 2010 By Senior Airman Megan M. Kittler 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The new Airman felt alone--she was far away from home for the first time in 19 years. She was at a new base, struggling to make friends and it didn't help that her boyfriend from back home had just ended things. She felt she had no one to turn to. So, Airman Bounds did the only thing she thought would ease her pain--she took her own life. Looking from the outside in, it would seem that he had everything going for him. He had a beautiful wife, two active children and was on the fast track to making chief. The senior-non-commissioned-officer-in-charge was always looking out for others and helping out in anyway could. But, what no one saw was the dark depression that surrounded him. He had managed to rack up $400,000 in gambling debts and successfully hid it from everyone. But, when the loan shark came around threatening his family, he knew he couldn't pay and felt the only option he had was to end his life to save his family from the embarrassment and the debt he still owed. Even as a company grade officer, the captain just couldn't escape the commander's office. She was always getting called in for what she considered "petty offenses." She was consistently late to work, failed her physical training test, got charged with driving under the influence, missed a mandatory appointment and her hair was always out of regulations--because of her misconduct, she was undergoing a court martial. Although she joked and laughed about it, secretly she was devastated. Before she was punished for her actions, she ended her own life to avoid the consequences. Although these three scenarios are fictional, it's no secret that suicides are happening around the Air Force at an alarming rate. In a statement made to the Senate Armed Forces Committee on June 22 of this year, General Carrol H. Chandler, Air Force vice chief of staff, wrote "45 Airmen--27 Active duty, eight Guard, three Reserve and seven civilians--have taken their own lives, compared to 33 during the same period last year. Currently, the Air Force suicide rate exceeds 14 suicides per 100,000 Total Force Airmen." Capt. Sabera Sobhan, 2d Medical Operations Squadron psychological provider, said those who are contemplating suicide may experience ideation, substance abuse, anxiety, feeling trapped, hopelessness, withdrawal, anger, recklessness and may have extreme mood swings. "Ideation means having a suicide plan, writing or talking about death, dying or suicide," she said. "A major flag is when one begins to have a sense of hopelessness, or the person thinks that there is nothing that can change in their life," she continued. If any of these signs are recognized, immediate action should be taken. "Specifically, what you can do when you see warning signs in a fellow Airman is ask the person directly about suicide--describe what you are seeing and be honest and direct," said Captain Sobhan. "Share your concerns in a nonjudgmental and compassionate manner--use open-ended questions." Unhelpful responses include: ignoring or not taking the problem seriously, or using reverse psychology and trying to convince the individual that they are not suicidal. Additionally, encouraging the individual to drink alcohol proves to be another negative solution, as alcohol decreases good, and increases impulsive, decision-making. Outlets for those thinking about committing suicide are family, friends, supervisors, chaplains, the Airman and Family Readiness Center, mental health, family advocacy and Military One Source. According to Captain Sobhan, those who are apprehensive about coming forward because of possible repercussions should be reassured by the fact that "ninety-seven percent of Airmen who come in for treatment have nothing happen to their career." Mental health offers effective coping and problem-solving skills, while Military One Source can provide free off-base therapy referrals to those in need. Unfortunately, suicide doesn't just happen at "other bases." Recently, Barksdale lost two members of the 2d Bomb Wing family to suicide. Suicide affects everyone and it's up to everyone to help prevent the loss of life. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, there are a number of ways to get help. If it's an immediate threat, dial 911. If the thoughts and plans are there, but not immediate, members can contact Mental Health, their unit Chaplain, Military One Source or anyone in their chain of command to receive the help they need.