AIR FORCE SUICIDES PLUMMET DUE TO THERAPY OUTREACH
The Los
Angeles Times, November 25, 1999, reported a dramatic drop in the suicide
rate of Air Force personnel over the last four years due to a prevention
program aimed at breaking down "macho" resistance to seeing a therapist
and talking out personal problems. For years, suicide has been the second-leading
cause of death among the Air Force's 350,000 personnel, behind only accentual
injuries.
The numbers have declined steadily since the Air Force started its suicide
prevention program in 1995. Suicides dropped from 68 in 1994 to 34 last
year. So far only six suicides were reported through August 1999.
Suicides among law enforcement personnel have been the topic of discussion
over the past few years. Although accurate statistics about police suicide
rates have not been determined agencies that have had one or more incident
of officer suicide experience a profound sense of loss. The Air Force
program and resulting measured success should serve as encouragement to
law enforcement agencies to have top notch prevention programs in place.
An investment in training all level of personnel in psychological and
emotional health and a counseling and therapy network in place is the
key to preventing suicides as well as other consequences of a "psychological
slide."