Never alone - the Square D way

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Suicide is a topic many people prefer not to think about, however it affects many families. The stress and strain of military life means it may affect a colleague, friend or loved one. If someone is acting differently than they usually do, they could need help.

The Department of Defense Quarterly Suicide Report Calendar Year 2015 2nd Quarter report shows the Air Force lost 62 of its active duty brothers and sisters to suicide in 2014, a worrying increase from 48 in 2013.

Service members need to know they’re not alone. There are a number of agencies, both on and off base that can help.

“We (chaplains) are willing to help anyone who seeks us out for counseling – Airmen of all ranks, civilians and dependents,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Porter, 100th Air Refueling Wing chaplain. “If we don’t have the expertise or knowledge to meet their needs or religious requirements, and if they are willing, we will refer them to other counselors, mental health or religious professionals who can assist them.”

Base members need to feel they can trust the person they reach out to. Whether people are looking for spiritual guidance, or just someone to talk to, they can be sure the person they speak with is qualified for the role.

“After joining active duty, I was certified to teach applied suicide intervention skills training in order to equip supervisors to intervene and prevent suicide,” Porter added.

Those new to the military may need help in many ways. Many have left behind their support system and all the comforts of home to embark on a new life in a whole new country. These same people may be the ones who find speaking to someone of a high rank off-putting. To reach these individuals the chapel has people of many ranks offering an ear to listen once someone walks through their door or picks up the phone. Each Airman may experience things differently.

“I get out with the chaplains to engage with the Airmen and families,” said Staff Sgt. Katherine Patterson, 100th ARW NCO in charge of chapel operations. “We are there for families and single Airmen through many areas of life, including suicide.”

There are multiple places people can go if they need help.

“Of course the chapel would be one of the places people could reach out to,” Patterson said. “There is also the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Military Family Life Consultant, Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, 1st shirts, family, friends, coworkers and crisis hotlines. There isn’t one source that is necessarily better than the other. It’s more important to get the help no matter where it comes from.”

The 48th Medical Group based on RAF Lakenheath, England, provides year-round care to anyone in need.

“The mental health clinic provides 24-7 coverage with regular scheduled appointments during duty hours, as well as an on-call provider who will see emergency walk-ins,” said Maj. Dennis Tansley, 48th MDG clinical psychologist. “We have on-call services where we would come into the emergency room and do what we can to help people having suicidal thoughts.”

The mental health office wants Airmen to know the ultimate goal is to find them help, regardless where the help is coming from.

“There are a number of reasons people may take their lives, including lack of hope,” Tansley added. “It could be a lack of a will to live, a lack of belief in self, other people, or the lack of awareness of other viable options.”

Airmen can look to the wingman sitting to their left or right as they go about the mission. Are they reaching out for help with signals they don’t even know they are sending?

“Often people with suicidal thoughts are experiencing some type of loss, for example the loss of someone they love,” Porter said. “They lose hope that life can get better and feel helpless to improve their negative feelings or circumstances. Sometimes they are dealing with mental health issues – chronic depression, anxiety, fear, guilt – distorted negative thinking. They feel that life isn’t worth living anymore. Ultimately they are unable to tap into resiliency strategies that can get them through the difficult time.”

If something goes wrong in life there is always a person to turn to, an impartial person there to listen.

“We help anyone who comes through our doors in need,” said Patterson. “We may not be the expert at all things but we will do whatever we can to get them to the person best suited to help no matter what is going on in their life.”

There is a lot to be said for a brand new day. Stressors may seem a far smaller problem after having had time to recharge and think of the solution.

“I think that we all play a huge role in taking care of each other because you never know what people are going through and the smallest thing could change their lives,” said Patterson.

You are never alone, for more information contact the 48th MDG Mental Health Clinic on DSN 226-8603 or commercial at 01638 528603.