Section 18G - Suicide Prevention Flashcards
Suicide is the act of _____ killing oneself, based on the victim’s intent and understanding of the probable consequences of his or her actions.
Deliberately
Roughly how many Americans commit suicide each year?
30,000 (Almost twice the number killed by homicide.)
During 2011, the Air Force suffered _____ Regular Air Force suicides.
- (A rate of 12.8 suicides for every 100,000 Airmen.)
Suicide is the _______ leading cause of death among Regular Air Force personnel.
Third. (Death by accidents is second.)
During 2011, 27 Air Reserve Component (ARC) and ______ civilian employee suicides occurred.
17.
Within the Air Force, what are the most common stressors among those who commit suicide?
Relationship, legal, mental health, financial hardship and work problems.
Within the Air Force, those over 35 are at less risk for suicide than those under 24 years old. T/F
False. (These groups are at equal risk.)
Is any particular ethnic, racial, age, or rank group spared from suicide?
No. (However, men do commit suicide at a rate four times greater than women.)
What serious problems may Air Force suicides create?
1) An unnecessary loss of human life; 2) distress in the victim’s family and Air Force community; 3) direct impact on mission sustainability (loss of skills, experience and productivity); and 4) loss of the economic value invested in the victim (anticipated services, training costs and replacement costs).
What are the two personal perceptions that place someone at risk for suicide?
1) Feeling like they don’t belong or fit in anywhere; and 2) feeling like a burden to others.
What is the third important piece in the dynamics of suicide?
Acquiring the capability to take one’s own life. (For Airmen, the most common step is acquisition of a firearm.)
Among Airmen feeling suicidal, which ones may be at more risk for suicide?
Those who already possess the means or have training in the use of lethal means.
All military suicides are preventable. T/F
False. (However, definite steps can be taken to taken to reduce the number of suicides.)
Suicide prevention efforts should be _____ with all the force and effectiveness of other command initiatives.
Publicized.
At what stage may individuals considering suicide be most open to assistance and support from a wingman, friend or professional?
After other efforts to cope with or manage their problems have failed and they feel there are no other options.
Name three suicide risk factors.
Any three of the following; 1) severe, prolonged or unmanageable stress; 2) difficulty coping or functioning; 3) lack of social support or social isolation; 4) escalating alcohol or drug use; 5) difficulty sleeping; and 6) feelings of hopelessness or depression.
Through CY 2009 to CY 2011, more than ______ % of Airmen who died by suicide were receiving treatment for mental health concerns.
50%
Depression is a significant risk factor associated with suicide. Name five signs that can help you determine if someone may be suffering from depression and distress.
Any five of the following; agitation, alcohol misuse, anxiety, apathy, avoiding recreation, constant fatigue, decreased appetite, decreased libido, depression, difficulty coping, disciplinary problems, excessive sleeping, feeling “blah”, feeling guilty, feeling overwhelmed, feeling worthless, financial problems, hopelessness, increased appetite, indecisiveness, insomnia, irritability, loss of interest, low energy, low self-esteem, poor concentration, poor personal hygiene, poor work performance, relationship difficulties, restlessness, sadness, social isolation, social withdrawal, suicidal ideation, weight gain, or weight loss.
Since CY09, ______% of Airmen who died by suicide faced legal problems at the time of their deaths.
34%
Why is being under investigation for a suspected criminal offense stressful, especially if it is highly embarrassing?
There is stress in not knowing the final outcome of the investigation, the threat to one’s career and/or ability to find work after separation, and rejection by loved ones.
Many Air Force suicide victims were experiencing significant financial problems at the time of their deaths. T/F
True.
Why should commanders recognize financial problems as symptomatic of ineffective
It is another potential point of intervention that might reduce the overall Air Force suicide rate.
Since CY09, _____% of Airmen who died by suicide experienced a failed relationship in the months prior to their death and ____% experienced work-related problems.
54%; 25%
Many suicide victims experienced simultaneous work and relationship problems at the time of their deaths. T/F
True.
Why is a combination of work-related problems and personal problems particularly dangerous for suicide victims?
Because it leaves the victim with no safe haven. (A healthy, happy relationship can serve an important protective function against many other kinds of stress.)
When a fellow Airman, friend or family member demonstrates observable signs of distress, what actions should you take?
Ask them what may be troubling them.
Most suicides are impulsive. T/F
False. (Typically, individuals come to focus on suicide as their only solution over a period of time.)
List five examples of verbal and behavioral hints of suicidal ideation.
1) Acquiring the means to commit suicide; 2) making suicidal remarks; 3) giving away cherished possessions; 4) writing a will; and 5) preoccupation with death.
Some communications of suicidal intentions are direct (i.e., “I’m going to get a rifle from a pawnshop and kill myself.”) others are indirect. Give examples of indirect statements of suicidal intention.
Goodbye statements, making preparations such as writing a will or increasing life insurance, or comments that everyone would be better off if he or she was dead.
Why are vague allusions to suicide easy to dismiss?
Because of their passive nature and because many people mistakenly believe that those who talk about suicide are not likely to actually do it. Every suicidal remark must be taken seriously.
Any self-injury intended to end one’s life should be treated as a suicide attempt, regardless of it’s severity. T/F
True.
Is the severity of injury during a suicide attempt an accurate indicator of the lethality of the intent?
No. (Any level of self-injury is serious and should be addressed by mental health professionals.)
Actual suicides combine high ______ in the selected method and a low probability of ______.
Lethality; rescue.
Do suicides increase during the holidays?
No. (Despite widespread belief, no such relationship has been noted in the Air Force.)
Effectively addressing suicide requires a carefully integrated and systematic community approach that does what two things?
1) Prevents the factors contributing to suicide; and 2) identifies, diagnoses and treats those at risk.
