Averting suicide: Help is available on base

Published March 28, 2008
By Danielle Gregory
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Every year Tinker Air Force Base employees and military members are required to take an online course that outlines suicide prevention and detection.
   According to the slideshow course, suicide is the second leading cause of death in the Air Force after deaths due to accidents. The course also explains that for most Airmen who seek mental health their privacy is maintained and their career is unharmed. The course breaks down the percentages explaining that 97 percent of Airmen who seek help suffer no negative career impact and 90 percent of those who do seek help maintain their privacy because no one from their unit is ever contacted.
   Tinker offers many different programs for members who do need help such as Military One Source, Family Advocacy Program, Alcohol Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program, Mental Health Clinic and TRICARE Mental Health Services.
   "There is a stigma with mental health and a lot of the time people are hesitant to come in and see us because they think its going to affect their career or someone will think badly of them, most of the time their career is not affected if they seek out help and our services are confidential with some exceptions," said Captain Jerri Turner, Suicide Prevention program manager. The fact is that many a time seeking help can assist individuals in managing or solving their issues thus, ensuring they maintain a productive military career.
   Military One Source, a program for all active duty and dependents, allows members to self refer to an off-base counseling provider and up to six sessions of free counseling.
   The Family Advocacy Program is available for military and retired families and TRICARE beneficiaries. Classes and groups are also open to all Tinker civilian and contract employees. These classes include individual, marriage and family counseling.
   The Mental Health Clinic offers treatment services for active duty military members only.
   TRICARE Mental Health services are available for non-active duty TRICARE beneficiaries.
   "The prevention of suicide lies with everyone within our military community," said Capt. Turner. "Reaching out to one another will allow us to build stronger communities and families and ultimately save lives. The key to prevention of suicide is early intervention and being a good Wingman."
   When a life is lost due to suicide, all parties involved have questions that may forever go unanswered.
   "It has been my experience that the effects of suicide on loved ones are long-term, devastating and can be destructive," said Brenda S. Ferguson, LCP/EAP consultant. "It doesn't matter if a suicide note is left or not, nor does it matter if there were 'signs' or not, the effects are the same. Suicide is NOT something 'you get over,' but it IS something 'you learn to live with.'"
   Suicide not only affects the person who takes their life, but it affects family, friends, co-workers and anyone they've come in contact with, otherwise known as "survivors."    According to Wikipedia, 'it is estimated that an average of six people are suicide 'survivors' for each suicide that occurs in the United States. Every 18 minutes a life is lost to suicide.'
   Ms. Ferguson said, "People can help support each other by realizing that everyone reacts to suicide in their own way and recovers in their own time. Be patient, considerate and understanding."