Sept. 5, 2023 Shining a light on resources during National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Help is readily available, and professionals can help you and/or your family cope with things such as work stress, relationship problems, legal issues and substance abuse concerns. If you are struggling, reach out and get the support you need. You earned it. You’re entitled to it. You deserve it.
May 5, 2023 Brandon Act aims to improve mental health support The Brandon Act aims at improving the referral process for service members seeking a mental health evaluation and allowing them to seek help confidentially, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness said.
Sept. 22, 2022 Online courses provide aid to those affected by suicide The Defense Department is now offering two online courses that provide support and guidance for those affected by suicide.
Sept. 8, 2022 Agents of hope: Suicide prevention program encourages all to ‘connect to protect’ Each September, the Defense Department highlights suicide awareness and resources available for service members and families across the military with National Suicide Prevention Month.
May 26, 2022 Suicide prevention and mental health resources provide help: You are not alone Life is full of ups and downs. But sometimes life events - financial strain, relationships, isolation, emotional or sexual abuse, stress, and misuse or abuse of alcohol or drugs - can lead to depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide for some. It’s important to remember that you are not alone.
June 1, 2021 AFMC enhances leadership support for suicide prevention A new initiative aims to better prepare Air Force Materiel Command leaders to develop more resilient Airmen and support suicide prevention activities across the mission.
Feb. 22, 2021 DoD tests VR suicide prevention training at Scott, Travis AFBs The 30-minute training is aimed to help Airmen’s comfort in engaging with others to prevent suicide.
Sept. 4, 2019 Peterson Airmen save life In the beginning of August, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein ordered all wings to stand down for a day and focus on resiliency and suicide prevention due to the alarming increase of suicide rates in the U.S. Air Force in 2019.
Nov. 23, 2018 Combating suicide: What can I do today? Multiple Air Force initiatives are working toward a common goal; Empowering Leaders and Airmen to increase morale, cohesion, and readiness by recognizing when Airmen need help, decreasing barriers to help-seeking, and creating a culture in which Airmen and their families thrive.
Feb. 26, 2018 Mental health flight trains brains Whether patients are coming in for help while going through difficult times, feeling down or thinking of suicide, the mental health flight is always ready to help.
Sept. 29, 2017 Air Force psychologist considers social media’s role in suicide prevention Social media connects us to more people than ever before, but these contacts may not be the type that help build resiliency. Strong interpersonal connections play a critical role in suicide prevention. Used correctly, social media can be an important tool in the suicide prevention toolbox for
Sept. 28, 2017 Be there, be aware: Help prevent suicide When we focus on our health, it’s easy to pay attention to physical health versus mental well-being. Ignoring mental health concerns like anxiety and depression can lead to worsening symptoms and more serious issues. For some people, these issues may include an increased risk of suicide.
Sept. 25, 2017 Seeking help does not end military career Throughout September, the nation is observing Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.Since 2012, the estimated rate of death by suicide across the Department of Defense has remained about the same per 100,000 people – 20 for active duty members, 24 for reservists and 27 for guard members. The Air Force
Sept. 18, 2017 Airman overcomes suicidal thoughts, strives to help others Being part of the Air Force is not an easy task. Airmen are charged with supporting and defending the U.S. from all enemies, foreign and domestic. As a result, the military life has many stressors and responsibilities. Deployments, financial strains, intensive training, long work days and adapting
Sept. 16, 2017 Resources and resiliency help children of military parents turn away from suicidal thoughts Like many teenagers starting high school, Edward was having trouble fitting in. The child of military parents who traveled around the world, Edward, whose name has been changed to protect his privacy, found himself in a new, civilian school where he was one of few “military brats.” He was admittedly
Sept. 15, 2017 Airmen helping Airmen: Suicide prevention Charged with the safety of every American against all enemies, both foreign and domestic, military members are expected to perform in highly stressful environments. Airmen deal with everyday stressors that come with wearing the uniform, and issues that arise both on and off the battlefield.These
Aug. 31, 2017 Suicide prevention month: Stopping suicide is everyone’s battle September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time for Americans to build awareness and help understand suicide in our culture. More than 40,000 Americans lose their life due to suicide each year and research shows that rates in the military and the general population are very close. The loss of any one
June 21, 2017 Connection saves lives: be there to help prevent suicide You can make a difference for someone struggling with suicidal thoughts with as little as eye contact and a friendly smile, an arm around the shoulder, or a kind word at the right time. Everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide, a key theme of the Department of Defense’s #BeThere Campaign,
Nov. 22, 2016 New Peer-Support Service Launches The DoD “BeThere” peer support call and outreach center is staffed by peers who are veteran service members and family members of veterans, and aims to provide support for everyday problem-solving of career and general life challenges.
Aug. 25, 2016 Every Airman Plays a Role in Suicide Prevention The Air Force is determined to prevent suicide, but you don’t need to be a specialist or doctor to do that. Sometimes all it takes is starting a conversation. Everyone has a role to play. That’s a key part of the Department of Defense’s #BeThere Campaign, which encourages making a difference through