miércoles, 28 de septiembre de 2016

Why suicide prevention holds a special place in my heart | Health.mil

Why suicide prevention holds a special place in my heart | Health.mil

Health.mil

Why suicide prevention holds a special place in my heart

Dean (left) and Dale WhiteDean (left) and Dale White

Recommended Content:
Suicide Prevention



THe surgeon general often reminds me to ask people why. 
Why are they a part of Navy Medicine? Why are they coming for help? That’s something that really resonates with me: the why. 
Suicide prevention has a very near and dear place in my heart. For me, my passion in suicide prevention starts with my why. 
In 2000, my father was caring for my mother, who was recovering post cancer, when he died suddenly.  One of the hardest things in life is to cope with the loss of a parent or loved one. That was truly evident with my brother, who was so close to my dad and took our father’s death very hard. 
After our father’s death, my brother started to drink excessively. I confronted him about the drinking, but if I had taken the time to look at all the other warning signs, that confrontation would have happened differently. Maybe I didn’t want to see his depression because he’s my brother. 
Three weeks after confronting him, my brother intentionally overdosed and his heart just stopped. 
It happened on my 40th birthday. 
There is not a year that goes by that I don’t remember my brother. He is my why. 
Dale (left) and Dean WhiteDale (left) and Dean White
I have a deep passion for my work with suicide prevention. As a professional Navy chaplain I am intensely involved in making sure our folks are going to training, making sure that every Sailor has access to the care they need. There are some young Sailors whose shipmates are going through the same challenges that my brother did. They’re manifesting those warning signs and people don’t see it. We can’t do enough to support them and show we care. 
I keep a picture of my brother readily visible in my home. It reminds me that this is real. Suicide prevention is not just a theme. It’s not just a Department of the Navy or Department of Defense program. Real people are taking their lives. Real people are feeling this sense of hopelessness and it could be any one of us. 
My brother and I grew up in a caring family and it hit us. It can hit anyone. It’s real and it never goes away. I’ll never get over not having my older brother. You always think what could I have done differently or what would he be doing today?  He would have turned 59 this year.
That’s why suicide prevention is so important. If a life is lost, the impact is wide and it lasts forever. I’ll never stop doing anything I can do to share my experience, train our Sailors, and look out for my shipmates. I’ve been doing this for 25 years and every time I’m on leave I take my phone. When someone is in need, they’re in need right now. Not tomorrow, not in an hour, right now. I’ve told our ministry team that this is first priority. We’re going to stop everything and we’re going to take care of them. It’s all about delivering that message of compassion, hope and trust to reduce the stigma for Sailors seeking support. 
We’re a family here. We need to take care of each other like family. Every single one of us needs to be looking out for our shipmates. There are so many resources for suicide prevention but the best resource is leadership, and each of us is a leader in our own small frame of reference. Recognize the warning signs; if you see something, say something. Do something and save a life. 
Disclaimer: Re-published content may have been edited for length and clarity. Read original post.


Suicide prevention: How to recognize the warning signs

Article
9/22/2016
Five signs that may mean someone is in emotional pain and might be at risk for suicide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Chris Botzum)
How to recognize the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide, and what steps to take
Related Topics: Mental Health CareSuicide Prevention

Nurse Advice Line serves as important tool for suicide prevention

Article
9/21/2016
Army Private 1st Class Luselys Lugardo, a soldier assigned to the New Jersey Army National Guard, poses in front of a shattered mirror for a portrait. The shattered glass represents the way suicide hurts families, friends and coworkers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht)
There are many resources to help service members and their families in dealing with suicide. The Nurse Advice Line is one more tool to use.
Related Topics: Mental Health CareSuicide PreventionAccess to Health Care

Soldier overcomes physical, invisible wounds: From contemplating suicide to advocating others' wellness

Article
9/19/2016
Then-Army Maj. Ed Pulido, stands with his wife, Karen, and daughters, Kaitlin and Kinsley in June 2010. Pulido retired from the Army and is 12 years into his recovery and credits his family for encouraging and supporting him during that time.
As part of Suicide Prevention Month, retired Army Maj. Ed Pulido tells his own story about contemplating suicide, how his experience changed perspective on mental health and what he does now.
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Be There: Help Save a Life

Video
9/14/2016
Be There: Help Save a Life
Whether you have a minute or an hour, a simple act of kindness can help someone feel less alone. The U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense have created a video to show how small actions can have a huge impact on Veterans and Service members who might be going through a difficult time.
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‘Be There’ suicide prevention theme resonates with troop values

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9/12/2016
Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Robert R. Ruark, military deputy to the acting Secretary of Defense for personnel and readiness, was the keynote speaker for the Suicide Prevention Month kickoff event at the Pentagon, Sept. 7, 2016.
‘Be There’ will resonate because it’s a way to hit home that suicide is preventable
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Honing our efforts to reduce suicide – a public health scourge

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9/1/2016
Navy Capt. Mike Colston, director, Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury
Suicide prevention is a priority for the Department of Defense
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DoD promotes suicide prevention through work with media, other groups

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9/1/2016
Official Seal of the Defense Suicide Prevention Office
The Defense Department is working with media, nongovernmental organizations and the federal sector to focus on suicide prevention
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Crisis line specialist helps fellow veterans

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10/1/2015
Lists number for Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 and press 1) and the official VA seal
A former Air Force staff sergeant, and combat veteran, talks about his job as a health science specialist with the Veterans Crisis Line
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Air Force senior leaders host suicide prevention summit

Article
9/30/2015
Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James listens to a question from Lt. Col. Lisa Bader, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa behavioral health consultant, during the Suicide Prevention Summit at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sept. 24, 2015. James spoke and listened to questions from the attendees after her speech. (Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Whitney Stanfield)
Subject matter experts of mental and behavioral health, community support and Airmen gathered to discuss resiliency and suicide prevention at Joint Base Andrews
Related Topics: Suicide Prevention

20% of Suicide Deaths Annually in the U.S. are Military Veterans

Infographic
9/29/2015
20% of Suicide Deaths Annually in the U.S. are Military Veterans
Poster in support of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
Related Topics: Suicide Prevention

Suicide prevention starts with awareness of warning signs

Article
9/29/2015
The complex issue of suicide and suicide prevention involves not only mental health professionals, but the community at large. The best advice to friends, families and loved ones who are concerned about someone at risk: be aware, be vigilant and never be timid about talking to that person about his or her feelings.
Helping the Hopeless: Family, friends, & community can help a person at risk of suicide by simply being aware
Related Topics: Suicide PreventionPosttraumatic Stress DisorderMental Health CareSubstance AbuseMental Wellness

Joe Nose Stress: Hospital employee takes "paws" to identify people in need

Article
9/24/2015
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Tracy Krauss, a nurse at Belvoir Community Hospital, preps Cmdr. Joe for another day at the hospital. (Courtesy photo by Reese Brown)
Ambling down the hall of his new duty station, Cmdr. Joe draws a lot of attention from patients and staff despite his best efforts to go unnoticed
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Joe Nose Stress

Video
9/23/2015
Joe Nose Stress
"Currently, Cmdr. Joe is the only stress-sniffing dog in the Department of Defense, but studies conducted by the University of Denver in Colorado have found that regardless of the type of skill they possess, the presence of therapy dogs reduce overall narcotic and painkiller usage among veterans."
Related Topics: Suicide Prevention

'The Power of 1’: A single person can save a life

Article
9/23/2015
At-risk individuals could have anywhere from five to 20 different warning signs. They could be going through relationship, legal, financial, emotional or other problems and could withdraw from socializing with their fellow service members. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Airman 1st Class Corey Hook)
DoD, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, is promoting the “The Power of 1” campaign during September in observance of Suicide Prevention Month
Related Topics: DoD/VA Sharing InitiativesSuicide Prevention

Not all Wounds are Visible

Infographic
9/21/2015
Not all Wounds are Visible
Poster in support of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
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