Suicide Prevention Month: Support is within reach

FORT BELVOIR, Va. -

It's OK to not be OK.

"Suicide, depression and other emotional conditions can be hard to talk about because there's still a stigma associated with them, but our mental health matters. It's OK to seek help," said Cynthia Clark, the on-site Employee Assistance Program consultant at Defense Logistics Agency Headquarters.

Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2022, 49,476 Americans died by suicide - that's about 1 death every 11 minutes. But suicide is never inevitable.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. DLA leaders are reminding employees to take care of their mental health and recognize signs of distress and hopelessness in others. Clark encourages employees to be mindful of coworkers' behavior.

"If someone isn't acting quite like their usual self, ask how they're doing," she said. "You can also tell others about the agency's EAP services, which we should all be aware of because you never know when you, a colleague or a family member might need a service."

EAP offers free, confidential counseling and educational information to help individuals in crisis and those managing life and work issues. EAP is available at MagellanAscend.com. Once on the site, users can choose "Find My Company" or "Create a Login Account" to access services such as scheduling an appointment with a counselor. Employees can also reach the EAP at 1-866-580-9046.

"We operate 24/7, 365 days a year. Callers get a real, live person each and every time they call us," Clark said, adding that EAP can also connect employees who are affected by suicide to grief counseling.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Another resource is the nationwide Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available by dialing 988 or visiting https://988lifeline.org. The 24-hour service includes an online chat option and provides free, confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources to help others.

The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline network has over 200 crisis contact centers staffed by mental health professionals who are trained to handle immediate crises. Calls are routed to the closest center based on area code to connect callers to counselors in their state. Crisis counselors are also familiar with community mental health resources and can provide referrals to local services.

Veterans Crisis Line

The Veterans Crisis Line provides 24/7 confidential support for active-duty service members, veterans and their loved ones. Numbers vary by location, but all callers should press 1 as the call begins.

• Continental United States: 988
• Europe: 844-702-5495 or DSN 988
• Southwest Asia: 855-422-7719 or DSN 988
• Pacific: 844-702-5493 or DSN 988

Brandon Act

The Brandon Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in December 2021, creates a self-initiated referral process for service members seeking a mental health evaluation and aims to reduce stigma by allowing them to seek help confidentially.

Although some services and units are still implementing requirements of the Brandon Act, any service member who feels they need a mental health evaluation only needs to ask their supervisor. The request can be made anywhere, anytime, without an explanation. The supervisor will then ensure that a confidential mental health evaluation occurs as soon as possible.

The act is named after Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Caserta, who died by suicide in 2018.

Know the Risk Factors

The causes of suicide are complex and determined by numerous biological, psychological, environmental and social influences. Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that someone will consider, attempt or die by suicide. They can't cause or predict a suicide attempt, but they're important to be aware of and include:

• Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders and certain personality disorders
• Alcohol and other substance use disorders
• Hopelessness
• Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
• History of trauma or abuse
• Major physical illnesses
• Previous suicide attempt(s)
• Family history of suicide
• Job or financial loss
• Loss of relationship(s)
• Easy access to lethal means
• Local clusters of suicide
• Lack of social support and sense of isolation
• Stigma associated with asking for help
• Lack of healthcare, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment
• Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma
• Exposure to others who have died by suicide (in real life or via the media and Internet)

Know the Warning Signs

Some warning signs may help you determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide, especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss or change. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these, seek help by calling the resources listed above.

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious or agitated, behaving recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or isolating themselves
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Extreme mood swings

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.