The Role Of Suicide Prevention In The Air Force
The Air Force implemented what is considered to be successful Air Force Suicide Prevention Program in 1997 that helped to reduce suicide by over 30% (Knox, Pflanz, Talcott, Campise, Lavinge, Bajorska, & Tu, 2010). This program, customized for the Air Force, focused its efforts on improving the wellness of all service members instead of specifically targeting at-risk airmen. This approach was not entirely novel; by focusing efforts on prevention of conditions before they become problematic, the Air Force model was aligned with the established principles of effective public health initiatives (Bryan et al., 2012). By shifting the approach to suicide prevention from a medical issue to a service issue for the health of the community, the Air Force
…show more content…
It is possible that data may be incomplete or inaccurate, so care must be taken to ensure to track all instances of suicide. The military does regularly release suicide reports, but historical data is more limited. The Army, for example, only began separately tracking suicide data after 1980 (Braswell & Kushner, 2012). Available data will need to be reviewed to determine how the suicide rate in the military differs from civilians over time, and how it may differ between and within the service branches (Veterans Affairs, …show more content…
The stigma surrounding mental illness can have a profound effect on suicidal behavior. Furthermore, a soldier’s experience is likely to differ significantly from the average civilian’s life so suicide prevention strategies should be tailored to fit this reality (Braswell & Kushner, 2012; Bryan et al., 2012; Cruwys & Gunaseelan, 2013).
Individuals diagnosed with mental illness face the stigma of being “crazy” and the negative labeling that results can discourage people who are at-risk from seeking treatment. The effects of stigma may be exacerbated within the culture of the military, given the emphasis on masculine toughness, self-reliance, and self-sacrifice for the greater good. Evidence suggests that prevention and treatment should emphasize wellness (social, mental, and physical) instead of focusing on identifying signs of mental illness (Knox,
It is possible that data may be incomplete or inaccurate, so care must be taken to ensure to track all instances of suicide. The military does regularly release suicide reports, but historical data is more limited. The Army, for example, only began separately tracking suicide data after 1980 (Braswell & Kushner, 2012). Available data will need to be reviewed to determine how the suicide rate in the military differs from civilians over time, and how it may differ between and within the service branches (Veterans Affairs, …show more content…
The stigma surrounding mental illness can have a profound effect on suicidal behavior. Furthermore, a soldier’s experience is likely to differ significantly from the average civilian’s life so suicide prevention strategies should be tailored to fit this reality (Braswell & Kushner, 2012; Bryan et al., 2012; Cruwys & Gunaseelan, 2013).
Individuals diagnosed with mental illness face the stigma of being “crazy” and the negative labeling that results can discourage people who are at-risk from seeking treatment. The effects of stigma may be exacerbated within the culture of the military, given the emphasis on masculine toughness, self-reliance, and self-sacrifice for the greater good. Evidence suggests that prevention and treatment should emphasize wellness (social, mental, and physical) instead of focusing on identifying signs of mental illness (Knox,