ACC chaplains discuss suicide prevention

  • Published
  • By Harry J. Lundy
  • Air Combat Command Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) --  Air Combat Command chaplains gathered to discuss the problem of suicide during a Comprehensive Airman Fitness conference in Newport News, Va., April 27 through 29.

During the conference, the event's keynote speaker, Dr. Thomas Joiner, the Robert O. Lawton distinguished professor of psychology at Florida State University, shared his concern about the pandemic of suicide.

"Worldwide, over 1 million people commit suicide each year," he said. "In the U.S., 33,000 are lost every year.

In the Air Force, suicides are climbing at an alarming rate. In 2008 and 2009, there were 12.4 and 12.5 suicides per 100,000 Airmen, respectively. With end strength numbers at more than 330,000, that equates to more than 40 Airmen taking their lives every year.

This year is starting at an even higher rate -- 18 active-duty members have already taken their lives. Additionally, suicide rates in some career fields are more than double the Air Force rate, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Carrol H. Chandler told Airmen in a memorandum dated April 16.

For ACC, the rates are more distressing. In 2008 and 2009, the command's rates were 16.2 and 23.7 suicides per 100,000 Airmen. Furthermore, five of the 18 suicides this year were committed by ACC Airmen.

"There are things that are driving that suicidal process," Dr. Joiner said. "These things are very treatable. They're very painful in the moment, but they're treatable and they're manageable."

A big contributor to suicide is major depressive disorder. Dr. Joiner said it is a very painful thing to go through, and when people are in that state, they have a different frame of mind. Thoughts arise that there are no solutions and there is no hope. Even as painful as it is, and as bad as it can get, there are very effective treatments for it and for all the other conditions that feed into suicidal behavior.

Dr. Joiner also recommended that if a person sees warning signs, it is crucial to stay connected consistently, patiently and persistently as a friend.

"If you notice that things are not getting better, refer them to get professional care," Dr. Joiner said.

Chaplain (Col.) Howard Stendahl, ACC command chaplain, said suicide prevention is important to him for two reasons.

"As an Air Force chaplain, life is a sacred gift to me from the creator," Chaplain Stendahl said. "It is the greatest gift."

The second reason is that the commander of ACC, Gen. William Fraser III, has identified people as the most valued resource and wants to protect that asset.

"The issue that keeps (General Fraser) awake and is of his greatest concern is how to affirm, cherish, prize the lives of the people who have chosen to give a portion of their lives in service to the nation, its defense -- specifically, in Air combat Command," Chaplain Stendahl said.

An important factor, to Chaplain Stendahl is creating community, making each person feel important to the unit and integral to the mission.

"And if they have pastoral, mental health care and other care workers whom they trust, they will take advantage of that," he said. "I have found that to be the case."

Dr. Joiner said people need to look at the mental disorder of suicide with the same level of importance as a person having a heart attack or stroke. He also compared mental disorder to cancer.

"Seventy-five years ago, cancer was as stigmatized as mental disorder is today," he said. "Now, we've got these amazing treatment facilities and we've got this amazing sense of compassion from the public at large."

The doctor said he thinks it may take longer to change the public view of suicide, for people to have the same sense of compassion as they would for cancer victims.

"That's where we've got to be and what we've got to shoot for," he said.