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2 September 29, 2017 Commentary DeSert lightning newS S. nevaDa
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Airmen helping Airmen: Suicide prevention
by Airman 1st Class Air Force photo illustration by Airman 1st Class James Thompson help me get through it,†she
James Thompson said. “After three months of
Tech. Sgt. Lloyd, 22nd Attack Squadron MQ-9 Reaper sensor operator, poses for an illustrative photo for trying to find my way, it wasn’t
Creech AFB, Nev. National Suicide Prevention Awareness month Sept. 14, 2017, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. September until my 5-year-old son asked
marks the beginning of NSPA month, a time set aside to recognize the importance of suicide awareness. me about dinner because I
Charged with the safety of hadn’t prepared it yet, when I
every American against all The training sparks discus- a bad day, I hope people remem- “It was a Sunday morning, I said enough.â€
enemies, both foreign and do- sion on how an Airman should ber that it’s ok to ask for help.†get a phone call from a friend
mestic, military members are react when presented with a dif- of his telling me what had hap- Stephanie recalls gathering
expected to perform in highly ficult situation before actually Airmen learn that stressors pened and I remember very dis- herself and refocusing her ef-
stressful environments. encountering them. take on many faces and are tinctively falling to the floor. I forts on getting the help that
sometimes hard to control in don’t remember what happened she needed for herself and her
Airmen deal with everyday In addition, the training a fast paced military lifestyle. after that because I didn’t want family.
stressors that come with wear- addresses personal ‘barriers’ to believe it,†Stephanie said.
ing the uniform, and issues and interpersonal factors that “Family stressors, financial “I found the strength
that arise both on and off the may prevent them from reach- stress, work stress, divorce, sep- She recalls the support that through my kids and family
battlefield. ing out. aration, those things happen to she received from her friends that evening and the next day
people every day and we have and Air Force family. I was at mental health getting
These challenges eventually “Teaching people what to to be able to say just because I counseling.â€
become too much for some to look for in others and helping need help today, doesn’t mean “I called my good friend and
bear. According to the Depart- them understand they can do I’m not strong,†she said. wasn’t really sure of what I said, Airmen are reminded that
ment of Veterans Affairs, 22 something to help is refreshing,†but they were at my house with- being fit to fight extends be-
veterans commit suicide every Stephanie said. Accepting that idealism in minutes, and within an hour yond being physical endur-
day and according to the Cen- was something Stephanie had or two the rest of my leadership ance; it includes having mental
ters for Disease Control and These sessions let attendees to learn last year after dealing was there,†she explained. cognizant strength in order to
Prevention, more than 40,000 know that it’s acceptable to ask with the sudden death of her carry out the mission.
people commit suicide every for help for anyone struggling brother, who passed away un- Although this was the most
year in the U.S. alone. with mental health issues. expectedly after a car accident. difficult thing she’s had to “I think for anyone in any
deal with she recalls how she walk of life, mental health is in-
September is National Sui- “I think everyone’s uncom- She reminisced on their refused to allow it to mentally credibly important. If you’re not
cide Prevention Awareness fortable asking for help re- close relationship and stated cripple her. in a great state of mind, it takes
Month, a time set aside to reflect gardless of the situation,†said that although he was not only much more energy to focus and
on the importance of suicide Stephanie. “Whether they’re a beloved brother, but also the “I thought if I could just execute whatever task you’ve
prevention and encourage Air- having suicidal ideations or just favorite uncle of her children. blank everything out, it would been asked to do,†said Bisson-
men to be there for companions nette. “Making sure people are
and fellow service members. in a right state of mind facili-
tates everything.â€
“These are things that effect
the four resiliency pillars, the Since reaching out, Stepha-
mental, the physical, the social nie shares her story at Green
and spiritual, and we all face Dot trainings in hopes of help-
them,†said Col. David Bisson- ing those who may be experi-
nette, 432nd Wing/432nd Air encing similar problems.
Expeditionary Wing vice com-
mander. “For anyone feeling hope-
less, there is always a way out
Green Dot, an Air Force and if I can be a voice to remind
training program, provides Air- people of that on a regular basis
men with the tools they need to then maybe that’s my purpose
safely intervene in situations of on this earth,†said Stephanie.
violence, stalking and suicide,
while also allowing people to For more information and
discuss different scenarios and resources on how you can
possible intervention methods. help a wingman, visit www.
airforcemedicine.af.mil/Sui-
“Green Dot is more of an cidePrevention, www.dspo.
idea,†said Senior Master Sgt. mil, veteranscrisisline.net,
Stephanie, 432nd Wing sensor livethegreendot.com, www.
operator and Green Dot instruc- wingmanonline.org, militaryo-
tor. “The idea of it, to me, is giv- nesource.mil/suicide
ing us tools to not be a bystander
if something’s happening.†Editor’s note: Last names
withheld for security purposes.
Desert Lightning News Staff Desert Lightning News, So. Nevada edition is Department of the Air Force or Aerotech News and For all submissions, a name and phone number
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