Transcript PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY

PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
OVERVIEW
1. GOAL
2. STATISTICS
3. FACTS AND MYTHS
4. PRECIPITATING EVENTS
5. WARNING SIGNS
6. 7 STEPS OF
PREVENTION
7. SUMMARY
8. CONCLUSION
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
SUICIDE PREVENTION
GOAL
DETECTION AND
TREATMENT
OF SOLDIERS
WHOSE EMOTIONAL
CONDITION
PLACES
THEM AT RISK
FOR SELF-INJURY
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
COMMANDER’S RESPONSIBILITY
AR 600-63
PARA 1-21. COMMANDERS AT ALL LEVELS
WILL INITIATE PROACTIVE MEASURES TO
PREVENT LOSS OF LIFE WITHIN THEIR UNIT
DUE TO SUICIDE AND TO REDUCE THE
IMPACT ON SURVIVORS IF A SUICIDE TAKES
PLACE..
PARA 2-8. SUICIDE PREVENTION IS THE
CONCERN OF EVERY LEADER, COMMANDER,
SUPERVISOR, SOLDIER, AND ARMY CIVILIAN
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
WHAT ARE WE DOING?


SOLDIER TRAINING AT ALL
TRADOC INSTALLATIONS
INTERVENTION TEAMS
CONSISTING OF DRUG &
ALCOHOL, FAMILY ADVOCACY,
PROVOST MARSHALL, SAFETY,
MENTAL HEALTH, CHAPLAINS
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
STATISTICS
• 32,000 SUICIDES PER YEAR IN THE U.S.
• SUICIDES BY METHOD: GUNSHOT
HANGING
OTHER
75%
17%
8%
• “TYPICAL” ARMY SUICIDE IN 1998 WAS A
WHITE MALE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 20 AND
25 YRS OF AGE (MAJORITY E-1 THRU E-7)
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
ARMY SUICIDES
(Past 10 Years)
1991 -102
1996 – 68
1992 – 87
1997 – 56
1993 – 90
1998 – 62
1994 – 88
1999 – 65
1995 – 78
2000 - 64
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
FACT OR FICTION?
• Suicide Is Impulsive and without Warning
• Once Suicidal Always Suicidal
• A Person Who Attempts Won’t Try Again.
• Suicidal Persons are Mentally Ill
• Holiday Season Has The Highest
Suicide Rate.
• Suicidal people are fully intent on Dying
• Circumstances affect Emotional
Equilibrium
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Weak Emotional Support System
Domestic Difficulties
Job/ School Pressure
Drug Or Alcohol Abuse
Economic Distress
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
DEPRESSION
Depression is a mood disorder that features
Withdrawal, Loss of Pleasure, Feelings of
Sadness, and Physical Discomfort.
Symptoms: Neglect of Appearance
Loss of appetite/weight gain
Poor concentration/memory
Emotional Flatness
Psychosomatic Illness
Mood Swings
Withdrawal
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
TRIGGERING
EVENTS
o Job
Termination
o Breakup
o UCMJ
o Loss from Death
o Imprisonment
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
PRIMARY WARNING SIGNS
 HOPELESSNESS
 HELPLESSNESS
 WORTHLESSNESS
 NEGLECT OF PERSON
 WITHDRAWN
 MOOD SWINGS
 EMOTIONAL PAIN
 FRUSTRATION
 PHYSICAL COMPLAINTS
 CONSTRICTION OF OPTIONS
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
VERBAL WARNINGS
I’m Going To Kill Myself!
I’d Be Better Off Dead!
I Just Can’t Go On Any Longer!
You Won’t Be Seeing Me Any Longer!
I’m Checking Out Of Here!
I Just Want To Get Rid Of The Pain!
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
7 STEPS FOR PREVENTION
1. ASK IF ANYTHING IS WRONG
2. TAKE THREATS SERIOUSLY
3. CONFRONT THE PROBLEM
AND BE DIRECT
4. OFFER SUPPORT
5. DON’T LEAVE THEM ALONE
6. REMOVE LETHAL WEAPONS
7. GET PROFESSIONAL HELP
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
When assessing the risk, look for the
relationship between
Danger
and
Rescue
A high level of danger and a small opportunity
for rescue makes a threat a
High Risk Event
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
STOP - LOOK- LISTEN
LISTEN! LISTEN! & listen!
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
SUMMARY
1. GOAL
2. STATISTICS
3. FACTS AND MYTHS
4. CONTRIBUTING
FACTORS
5. DEPRESSION
6. TRIGGERING EVENTS
7. WARNING SIGNS
8. 7 STEPS
SP
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
QUESTION
PREPARING SIGNAL LEADERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY
CONCLUSION
YOU CAN PREVENT
SUICIDES