Kirtland AFB Community Suicide Prevention Outreach Plan Dec 2013

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1 KEY FACTS (Adapted from the 2012 NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION) Suicide was one of the top 10 causes of death in the United States in (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) For every person who dies by suicide, more than 30 attempt suicide. (American Association of Suicidology) On average, between 2001 and 2009, over 33,000 Americans died each year by suicide; more than 1 person every 15 minutes. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Between 2005 and 2010, service members died by suicide at a rate of 1 every 36 hours. (Department of Defense) Veterans account for about 20% of suicide deaths. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) THE ISSUES Suicidal behavior is a multi faceted public health problem which causes immeasurable pain and loss to individuals, families, and communities. Intervention and prevention efforts will be required at all levels and must entail a comprehensive approach. Specific risk factors for suicidal behavior include relationship stress, financial difficulties, legal problems, history of past abuse, substance abuse, mental health problems, a sense of powerlessness/helplessness/hopelessness, and negative social interactions, among other risk factors, as identified in AFI , the Air Force Suicide Prevention Program (AFSPP). The Wingman Plus (IDS) helping agencies, within the scope of their specific missions, are tasked to address and provide assistance to help Airmen and their families with these life issues. Aspects unique to Kirtland AFB include a population comprised of over 100 mission partners and, within AFMC, a higher percentage of civilian DoD AF employees (61%) compared to the AF military population (38%). In addition, the community of Albuquerque is highly diverse ethnically and the city and surrounding metro populations are geographically dispersed over a 1

2 wide area. These features may contribute to decreased camaraderie, connection, and cohesion and increased isolation for Kirtland AFB personnel and their families. PROTECTIVE FACTORS A community outreach plan must also mitigate isolation and enhance community, connection, and resilience among military members, DoD AF civilians, and their respective families. Protective factors, to include mental, physical, social, and spiritual fitness, enable us to withstand, recover and grow in the face of stressors. These protective factors are conditions that promote strength, resilience and connectedness, with the goal of making suicide less likely. In our programs and events we will address these protective factors when appropriate. COMMUNITY OUTREACH PLAN The intent of the Kirtland Community Suicide Prevention Outreach Plan is to create and sustain a culture change that values life and de stigmatizes help seeking behaviors. Six goals have been identified to provide outreach and education to the Airmen of Kirtland AFB. Airman refers to active duty, DOD civilian employees and their respective spouses and children. IDS members will work as a team and may draw on the base and Albuquerque resources to plan and present the events/programs. The Kirtland AFB community outreach plan will allow for flexibility and creativity. This plan is a working document, which Wingman Plus (IDS) may modify as the needs of the community change over time. The six goals for community outreach will be as follows: Goal 1: To educate the base community regarding helping agency services, programs, and classes, with a focus on aspects of Wellness (Mental, Social, Physical, and Spiritual.) WELLNESS FUN FAIR: LIFE MATTERS hosted by IDS (Helping Agencies) by 31 March 2014 IDS agencies staff information tables highlighting programs and activities. Offer blood pressure, cholesterol checks, and other interactive or feedback driven activities. 2

3 Short informational sessions (10 15 minutes) will be presented by various IDS agencies on topics relevant to depression, suicide prevention, resiliency, and comprehensive wellness. Agencies will be grouped by which Comprehensive Airman Fitness (CAF) domain they represent (for example, chapel under the Spiritual domain). Participants will be provided a Wellness Passport in which they collect stamps indicating which domains of the Wellness Fun Fair they have visited. Those who have a passport with complete stamps will be selected for an opportunity to win a donated prize or service. Goal 2: To provide specific suicide awareness and education for the active duty military population and to civilian employees (who choose to attend Wingman Day activities). SPRING WINGMAN DAY (April May 2014 timeframe) Mental Health and Community Support Coordinator will create presentation material and discussion topics specifically tailored to suicide awareness and prevention for commander s calls and discussions. Breakout groups will discuss suicide awareness/intervention topics. Goal 3: To provide installation leaders (Commanders, Directors, First Sergeants, etc.) information on their roles and responsibilities regarding Suicide Prevention. LEADERSHIP SUMMIT: WHAT LEADERS NEED TO KNOW, Aug Sept 2014 timeframe Present a half day to full day summit for installation leaders to cover the Air Force Suicide Prevention Program (AFSPP) items that are relevant to leaders, to include Leadership Involvement, Guidelines for Commanders, Unit Based Prevention Services, Investigative Interview Policy, Post Suicide Response, Limited Privilege Suicide Prevention Program, and Commander Consultation Tools. Address process for leaders to access care and suicide prevention services for their personnel. IDS agencies will provide information regarding their respective agency, with a focus on information from SAPR, ADAPT, FA, and EO relevant to leaders. 3

4 Goal 4: Outreach to Youth Various events in the month of July geared toward children and their parents (examples follow) Promote the Suicide Prevention Lifeline E card service in which one may send an card to another with a personal message that shows connection and concern Highlight bullying and its connection to suicide. Why Life Matters Contest: written entries ( words) and artwork (submit to teresa.reinhard@us.af.mil) from year olds will be featured on the Kirtland webpage and winning entries will be published in the base newspaper; prizes will be sought to present to winning entries. Goal 5: Outreach to Kirtland High Risk Populations Various in unit visits, dates to be determined, to be coordinated with leadership of Security Forces, Intelligence, Manned Aircraft Maintenance and Munitions Squadrons. Suicide awareness/prevention events will be interactive and tailored to each group. Goal 6: Increase awareness of depression and helping resources DEPRESSION AWARENESS MONTH Month of October Provide information and materials, from agencies such as the National Institute of Mental Health, and others, to educate military and civilian employees on Employee Assistance Program, Military One Source, Military Family Life Counselor, and Base Mental Health, and others at Commander s Calls, Key Spouse meetings, Spouses Club meetings, base wide , Fall Wingman Day, etc. 4

5 The following resources provide a wealth of information from which we will draw our content, events, and marketing materials. Suicide Prevention and Education Resources Office on Women's Health Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention National Strategy for Suicide Prevention strategy suicide prevention/ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Suicide Prevention Resource Center Preventing Suicide in Middle and High Schools Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools The Role of Teachers in Suicide Prevention The Role of School Mental Health Providers in Suicide Prevention Preventing Suicide Among LGBT Youth The Role of Teens in Preventing Suicide Preventing Suicide in Colleges and Universities A Guide to Campus Mental Health Action Planning How Faith based Communities Can Prevent Suicides The Role of Faith Community Leaders in Preventing Suicide After a suicide: Recommendations for religious services and other public memorial observances 5

6 How Community Based Organizations Can Prevent Suicides Prevention of Suicides and Youth Suicidal Behavior The Role of Teens in Preventing Suicide The Role of Foster Parents in Preventing Suicide Suicide and the Elderly A Guide to Promoting Emotional Health and Preventing Suicide in Senior Living Communities Preventing Suicide in Primary Care Settings Primary Care Toolkit Suicide Care in Systems Framework Zero Suicide in Health Care Preventing Suicide in the Workplace The Role of Managers in Suicide Prevention The Role of Co Workers in Suicide Prevention Suicide Prevention at Work: A Fact Sheet Workplace Strategies for Mental Health ValueOptions Strategic Principles for Suicide Prevention QPR for Businesses and Professionals Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk: Core Competencies for Mental Health Professionals (brochure) Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide Suicide Prevention Lifeline Wingman Online Living Works Veteran s Crisis Line Red Cross Emergency Communication Services ( ) 6