Each year, Air Mobility Command kicks off it’s safety campaign on Memorial Day in May, which marks the start of the 101 Critical Days of Summer, that runs through to the Labor Day holiday. These critical days are followed by September, which is designated as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This campaign is an effort to “rally the troops” and call all military, veterans, and civilians to be vigilant in safety as well as being good wingman by taking care of one another as a way of life!
In a report by Air Force Magazine, between August 2016 and August 2017 suicide was the largest single cause of death for active duty Airmen.
Suicide is a preventable public health tragedy, but it is currently resulting in more deaths than war, homicide and natural disasters combined.
We are witnessing one suicide death every 40 seconds worldwide and one death every 12 minutes in the United States. That’s nearly 45,000 individuals taking their own life each year, impacting their friends and families who are left behind to navigate the tragedy of the loss in ways unimaginable.
So how can we all PRESS to ACE the Critical Days of Summer?
Building Resilience
One of the key Chaplain Corps’ task is to help Airmen integrate spiritual fitness into their lives, which leads to an improved comprehensive fitness profile. Individual spiritual fitness done in community not only builds resilience, but fuels military readiness despite what life challenges may threaten our ability to perform at our best.
Building resilience before the onset of stress allows us to exercise those skills during challenges, perform the mission despite the challenge, and grow even stronger as a result. Spiritual fitness that has been developed, exercised, and sustained offers us the opportunities to form life-changing habits.
Chaplains are here to walk alongside our Airmen as they celebrate successes and accomplishments as well as during those times when they face challenges.
Know the Warning Signs and Risk Factors
- Suicidal ideations – Threats or comments about killing themselves
- Increased alcohol and drug use
- Aggressive, impulsive, or reckless behavior
- Dramatic mood swings
- Isolation from community
- Talking, writing, or thinking about death
- Access to firearms
- A serious or chronic medical illness
- History of trauma or abuse
- Prolonged stress, agitation, and/or sleep deprivation
Wingman Mentality
As a good wingman, when we encounter friends, family, and/or comrades who may show warning signs or risk factors of suicide, we should do our best to assist. One acronym that is important to remember is PRESS.
Prepare - Know your people and those around you, then acknowledge opportunities to mentor
Recognize – Watch for signs of distress
Engage – Intervene with distressed personnel
Send – Connect Airmen with helping agencies
Sustain – Caring for/following up with the Airmen, family member, or colleague until destress is resolved through an action plan
Another acronym to help us live by the “wingman mentality” is ACE or Ask, Care, and Escort. ACE reminds us to take action by coming alongside our friends, family, colleagues, and fellow Airmen when we notice signs of distress. It is important to identify where to go in times of need and recognize what helping agencies are available to provide assistance. Know that you are not alone!
The 315 Airlift Wing Chaplain’s Office is one of those helping agencies! We endeavor to inspire hope, build faith, and enhance readiness through the effective delivery of spiritual care to the members and families we support. We provide 100 percent confidential counseling. If you or someone you know are in distress and need to contact a chaplain, you can reach us at any time during the unit training assembly weekend and during duty hours outside of the UTA weekends at 843-963-3653 or 315.AW.HC@us.af.mil.
Resources:
Wingmanonline.org
Military Crisis Line/Veterans Crisis Line (-800-273-8255)
www.militaryonesource.mil (800-342-9647)
Defense Suicide Prevention Office www.dspo.mil
www.betherepeersupport.org 844-357-PEER)
www.af.mil/Suicide-Prevention
www.cssrs.columbia.edu (C-SSRS Resources)
www.suicidesafetyplan.com (Safety Plan Information)
If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately.