one too many The community on MCAS Iwakuni is nothing short of amazing. We’re a society of energetic, dedicated, and compassionate people who come together under a common theme: Connectedness. With all the incredible people and experiences that bring us together, we sometimes find ourselves bonding through struggles that unfortunately all communities face. ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), focuses on suicide first aid. Think of ASIST as suicide training for a first responder. Who and what are suicide first responders?
ASIST ASIST prepares caregivers of all backgrounds to provide suicide first aid to persons at risk of suicide. The station offers ASIST training that is two days of practical training in intervention attitudes, knowledge, skills, and supports. According to Chaplain Lt (R) Seanan Holland, former chaplain and ASIST trainer at MCAS Iwakuni, “Too few leaders know suicide first aid.” That puts suicide response and first aid on the shoulders of the rest of the community. This includes our junior enlisted, family members, and even children in a peer-to-peer setting. That sentiment is echoed by Clinical Supervisor, Diane Pospisil-Kinney, “Suicide awareness and prevention is big because it’s the community that actually prevents suicide. What we’re learning more and more nowadays is that community connectivity is important.” The more people that are connected to one another, the less likely they will act on suicidal thoughts. Be an observant part of the community. There are many signs to look for when it comes to being a suicide first responder.
Community... is important
Feeling Trapped Those contemplating suicide often feel like there is no other alternative; they feel trapped. They think life is bleak and they don’t see a way out. By seeking help, those in need can get a fresh perspective. It can open a doorway they didn’t think was available. David Leon, a clinical supervisor at MCCS Iwakuni’s Behavioral Health Substance Abuse Program, speaks from experience, “About 20 years ago, I was working with a college student. She was thinking about suicide. She felt trapped, she didn’t know a way out. She was a high achiever. She was president of almost everything you could be president of at the college. She was a straight-A student. She felt overwhelmed, like everybody was expecting her to perform at a high level. By sitting down with a counselor and seeking help, she got a fresh perspective. She saw an alternative. She took a step back from one of her activities, only one, and she felt refreshed. She felt revived, and suicide was no longer a thought.”
People shy away from taboo subjects like suicide. Embracing that mentality is where it gets dangerous. “When you feel like someone is in need, most likely they really are. Err on the side of safety and intervene; get involved. Stay away from the mindset of 'it’s not my business'. People regret when they end up discovering how much someone else was really in pain and how much help they really needed after it’s too late,” says Jessica Gomez Grimm, a Clinical Counselor at MCCS Iwakuni's Community Counseling Center.
Explore
Invitations Invitations are signs of distress that invite help. As a suicide first responder, it’s important to accept invitations and intervene. Follow your intuition and explore the meaning of things you hear and see. ACTIONS Giving away possessions Withdrawal Loss of interest in activities Misuse of drugs & alcohol Self-mutilation Extreme or reckless behavior
PHYSICAL Lack of interest in appearance Disturbed sleep Change/loss of appetite Physical health complaints
WORDS “All of my problems will end soon.” “I am a burden to everyone.” “I just can’t take it anymore.”
FEELINGS Desperation Guilt Anger Worthlessness
Sadness Loneliness Hopelessness
"You’re looking for behavior that’s outside the norm for someone who might be contemplating suicide. When you see somebody who is a high performer and suddenly their performance has gone down in the workplace or if their relationship has always been great and suddenly it’s gone downhill, something might be wrong.”
- David Leon
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If someone you know is exhibiting any of these signs, open dialogue. Tell them you’re noticing this behavior and ask how you can help. Ms. Pospisil-Kinney offers this advice, “Take the time to hear what the person’s saying and just be there with them. Ask the really tough questions, such as: ‘Are you thinking of hurting yourself? Have you thought about killing yourself?’ Those are hard questions to ask people. Especially to those we love because we don’t want to think or believe they are struggling in such a way.” Then, ask how or why they got to that point.
Meet the Needs of Someone at Risk
As we pause and open the door to dialogue with someone at risk, we are connecting on a deep, human level. “People who are struggling with suicide ideation are really struggling to understand they matter in this world. The ripple effects of suicide are deep and they’re long-lasting,” says Pospisil-Kinney. Helping understand the story of those who intend to engage in suicide is important. Connecting at a personal level gives them a chance to hear their decisions out loud. What the suicide first responder can do at this point is help support someone at risk turn from suicide. If the first responder isn’t comfortable offering further assistance, there are places on the air station they can get help. Mr. Leon says, “The best advice I can give to somebody is actually knowing and having an awareness of where to direct them to get help. Let them know what’s available in the community, like the chaplain, the Behavioral Health Program, or the Branch Health Clinic. There are a lot of open doors and places to go in Iwakuni.”
Turning Points & Ways to
HOPE FOR SOMETHING
“If only I could find a way to talk to my father.”
Support Them
Instead of a plan for suicide, turning points are a plan to stay safe. These turning points include:
SUPPORT
Develop a plan to open that line of communication.
REJECTING SUICIDE
“What was I thinking; I don’t want to kill myself.”
UNCERTAIN ABOUT CHOICES
SUPPORT
SUPPORT
Start working on a plan to keep the individual safe.
"I don't know; it's all confusing.” Keeping the person safe in the interim is paramount.
AT LEAST WILLING TO TRY
"I might as well find out what keeping safe would involve.” SUPPORT
Take a deeper look into what that involves.
At this point, those at risk should be willing to agree that safety is the focus and not suicide.
What’s Available on the Air Station Marine Corps Community Services provides numerous options for those seeking help in a time of crisis. Here are some helpful MCCS contacts: Community Counseling Program (CCP) Family Advocacy Program (FAP)
- 253-6553
- 253-4526
Substance Abuse Counseling Center (SACC)
- 253-5260
Sexual Assault Prevention & Response (SAPR)
- 253-6556
mccsiwakuni.com/marine-family
Other options available include Chaplains (which is anonymous), Branch Health Clinic (second floor, Robert M. Casey Naval Family Health Clinic), or Military & Family Life Counseling Program (MFLC). There is also 24-hour care: Medical Acute Care
- 0827-79-5572/DSN: 253-5572
Victim Advocate - 090-9978-1033 Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
- 080-5865-3566
DSTRESS Line - 0827-79-7734/DSN: 253-7734 Chaplain - 080-6612-9244 suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Safety Framework
Right now, what will keep you safe? Develop a plan that includes:
If someone is harming themselves or others or are about to, activate an emergency response.
SAFETY FIRST
If suicide is planned, ask how the plan can be disabled safely.
SAFETY GUARDS
Consider alcohol, drugs, or medication concerns. Ask if they’ve had prior suicidal behavior and what they did that time to stay safe and alive.
Determine their strengths and what they can do based on those strengths to stay safe.
SAFETY AIDS
Ask if there are people or other support elements to assist them in staying safe and alive.
“The best way for the community to embrace suicide prevention is to have an open dialogue with their peers. If you have someone in the community who comes up to you and is contemplating suicide, challenge it. By actually having a dialogue we can overcome the stigma of ‘it’s not my problem.’” - David Leon
How Our Community Can Embrace Suicide Prevention & Awareness
Military communities are tight-knit. This is especially true when tragedy strikes. But we shouldn’t wait for tragedy to stay connected on a deep, personal level. By challenging our friends who have thoughts of suicide, we’re opening the door for dialogue.
Ms. Grimm’s toolbox includes, “I would try to make you feel comfortable to really share what’s going on. I would then let you know this is something I want to help you with, I want you to get treatment for this. I think that’s what really makes a difference. I would let you know that you not being here would have an impact on other people; we would miss you. There are things you do that make an impact that you don’t even notice. You have personal strengths and skills that still need to be shared in this world.” What’s great about our community is that we are already doing an outstanding job of staying connected and helping each other when we need it most.
This was made evident when, earlier this year, the Department of Defense named MCAS Iwakuni a top performer in the effort to reduce the number of suicides. Our community came together under the common theme of connectedness which is echoed by our sister services and within the United States Marine Corps. Life isn’t perfect, but as long as we stay connected, we’ll continue to heal and grow as a community.