Suicide Prevention

Healthy People 2000 “Violent and Abusive Behavior Progress Review”

1997 - 20,000 Homicides over 30,000 Suicides which means an average of 50 people

killed each day and almost 80 committed suicide

Healthy People 2000 Violent and Abusive Behavior Progress Review

1998- homicide rate dropped by 30% suicide rate dropped by 14%

DOD Details Stress, Suicide Prevention Programs

7 June 1999 Dr. Sue Bailey ( Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affair) unveiled the details of the two major policies announced by President Clinton;

Expansion of the community approach to a Suicide Prevention Program.

Implement a combat stress control program

DOD-Wide Program

Air Force pilot model to be implemented throughout DOD by the end of 1999 which consists of:

Widely distributed public service messages by DOD Senior leaders that express concern about suicide and the importance of encouraging and protecting members who seek help

Debrief people and units following traumatic events

Establish annual suicide awareness and prevention training

Integrate the delivery of services from MH, FA, HWC, FSC, C&YC, and the Chaplains

Include suicide prevention in all professional military education programs

Develop a larger data base of those who commit and attempt suicide so risk factors and trends can be analyzed and preventive measures taken

Conduct unit risk assessment surveys and unit intervention as needed

Risk Factors associated with suicide victims History of Mental

Health Problems Substance Abuse Relationship

Problems Poor Coping Skills

Poor job performance

Social Isolation Legal Problems Previous Attempts Financial Problems

Protective Factors

Establish social support in units

Teaching individual coping skills

Establishing a belief among military people that seeking mental health care is acceptable and ensuring privacy protection

Other Initiatives

DOD will emphasize the critical importance of leadership and education and make leaders more aware of the effects of combat stress on individuals and the military unit.

Combat & Operational Stress

Combat Stress Reactions are normal reactions to abnormal situations

Severe stress reactions occur when a person is overwhelmed psychologically, cognitively and/or physically

Combat & Operational Stress Mild to moderate

stress reactions may occur -

exposure to harsh environment

long duty hours separation from

family

Anticipation of horrible events

In Bosnia Southwest Asia 20% service members show a sufficient level of stress to warrant evaluation by a health care provider

3% referred for full MH evaluation

Combat & Operational Stress

During WWII, the rate of Combat Stress casualties to wounded services members was about 25% in the European theater

During Vietnam the rate was about 10% -lower by comparison because of the type of fighting during the conflict

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