ANG/AIM Briefing

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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing
INTRODUCTION
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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing

• Identify or list physical, emotional, and verbal
  warning signs of suicide as well as know how to
  ask the question
• Identify or list useful helping strategies when
  working with individuals thinking about suicide.
• Identify or list what to do when on-duty, and
  off-duty status.
• Identify or list dos and donts of successful
  suicide intervention.

OBJECTIVES GOALS
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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing

• How many of you have known someone who has
  committed suicide?
• How many of you have known someone who has
  attempted suicide?
• What were some of the effects of the suicide on
  you, fellow co-workers and family members?
• What were some of the warning signs?
• Feel free to discuss any additional feelings with
  the instructor after class.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing

• People who commit suicide are mentally ill
• Good circumstances prevent suicide
• People who talk about suicide wont commit
  suicide
• People who threaten suicide or are unsuccessful
  at attempting suicide will not do it
• Talking about suicide will put the idea in
  someones head
• People who are deeply depressed dont have the
  energy to commit suicide
• People often commit suicide without warning

M Y T H S
MYTHS ABOUT SUICIDE
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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing
A Case History The Facts of the story Tom was
Master Sergeant, full-time technician with over
20 years of experience. He experienced an
automobile accident while TDY, hitting a
motorcycle. Injuries to the motorcyclist were
minimal, however he secured an attorney and
threatened litigation against Tom and the Air
Force. The Air Force found no fault on Toms
part, and the issue was thought to be over.
Months later, the motorcyclists attorney called
Tom at home, and threatened litigation that would
take everything he had. Tom became depressed,
and was having financial and relationship
problems. He hanged himself at the unit leaving
a note saying that the unit would know what to
do, and take care of his family with SGLI.
SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE
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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing

• Hindsight It could have been prevented
• Tom was a good worker, with good relationships at
  work
• All his co-workers knew about the accident and
  the lawsuit
• His immediate supervisor noticed his depression,
  and he was frequently late to work
• His work performance began to drop, with
  noticeable flaws
• His commander was notified of the problem, but no
  referral was made to the JAG, Chaplain or Mental
  Health
• Tom frequently said that everyone would be
  better-off if he were gone

SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE
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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing

• Risk Factors
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Legal problems
• Family violence
• Poor job performance
• Relationship difficulties
• Financial problems
• Coping problems -- poorly developed coping skills
• Disciplinary actions
• Under investigation

RISK FACTORS
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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing
BALANCING LIFES STRESS
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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing
BALANCING LIFES STRESS
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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing

• What coping mechanisms help you deal with stress?
• Exercise
• Eat a balanced diet
• Trust in a higher power
• Develop a support group
• Get sufficient rest
• Other ideas?

BALANCING LIFES STRESS
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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing

• Symptoms of Risk
• Suicide gestures
• Giving away items
• Talking about suicide
• Talking about death
• Farewells
• Pessimistic outlook

SYMPTOMS OF RISK
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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing

• Symptoms of Risk
• Increased alcohol/drug use
• Weeping easily
• Change in eating habits -- weight loss
• Drop in job performance
• Increased irritability
• Loss of sense of humor

SYMPTOMS OF RISK
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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing

• Symptoms of Risk
• Social withdrawal
• Continual sadness
• Feelings of hopelessness/helplessness
• Change in sleeping habits
• Flags -- Ask, Are you thinking of committing
  suicide?

SYMPTOMS OF RISK
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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing

• What to Do If You Suspect Trouble
• When Serving on Duty Status
• A sk, Are you thinking about committing
  suicide?
• I ntervene immediately
• D ont keep it a secret
• L ocate help
• I nform family and individuals support network
• F ind someone to stay with the person
• E xpedite get help immediately

WHAT TO DO
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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing

• What to Do If You Suspect Trouble
• When NOT Serving on Duty Status
• A sk, Are you thinking about committing
  suicide?
• I ntervene immediately
• D ont keep it a secret
• L ocate help
• I nform family and individuals support network
• F ind someone to stay with the person
• E xpedite get help immediately

WHAT TO DO
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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing

• What to Avoid Doing When You Suspect Trouble
• DO NOT Ignore warning signs
• DO NOT Warn against seeking help
• DO NOT Assume minor troubles are unimportant
• DO NOT Give advice/false reassurance
• DO NOT Assume someone is immune from self-
  harm
• DO NOT Advise alcohol use
• DO NOT Challenge the individual to just do it

WHAT TO AVOID!
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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing

• Key Points
• People are the Air National Guards greatest
  asset
• The ANG encourages personnel to seek help when
  needed
• Seeking help is a sign of strength and insight,
  not weakness
• Seeking help does not necessarily end a career
  --not seeking help will!

KEY IDEAS
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NGB/HC Suicide Prevention Briefing
QUESTIONS?
END OF SUICIDE PREVENTION BRIEFING
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing
INTRODUCTION
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing

• Workplace Violence at a Glance
• 1986 Fatal shooting of 14 postal workers.
• 1992 110,000 acts of violence in the workplace.
• Cost to employers over 5. Billion
• 750 workplace homicides per year.
• 3rd leading cause of occupational death for men.
• 1st leading cause of occupational death for women
• Most workplace violence is caused by a
  disgruntled employee.

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE AT A GLANCE
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing

• Why Do We Have Violence In Our Workplaces..?
• What do you think?
• Increased violent society.
• Domestic discord.
• Micro-management.
• Economy.
• Social changes to family support structure and
  workplace values (work is who they are).
• Feel free to discuss feelings or personal
  experiences with instructor after class.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing

• Case History
• Patrick Sherrill - US Postal Service
• Was sometimes referred to as Crazy Pat because
  of his strange behavior in the neighborhood.
• Was viewed by co-workers as often angry and
  frequently depressed.
• One who preferred his own company to the usual
  workplace socialization.
• Other co-workers described him as a habitual
  complainer and a consistent non-performer.

VIOLENCE IS PREVENTABLE
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing

• Case History (cont)
• It was obvious to many co-workers that he was a
  problem employee.
• A former-Marine sharpshooter
• In 1984 joined the National Guard. Became a
  member of the units marksmanship team.
• On August 19, 1986, made a call to his union
  representative to discuss a possible transfer to
  another post office location.

VIOLENCE IS PREVENTABLE
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing
Case History (cont) Just after dawn, on August
20, 1986, Patrick Sherrill, a full-time
substitute letter carrier, reported to the
sprawling Edmond, OK, post office dressed in his
usual blue uniform and carrying a mailbag over
his shoulder. On this day, though, his mailbag
concealed two loaded, .45-caliber pistols he had
checked out from the National Guard Arms Room
where he was a member of the marksman-ship team.
He also carried in excess of 300 rounds of
ammunition and a .22-caliber handgun which was
his own property.
VIOLENCE IS PREVENTABLE
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing

• Hindsight It Could Have Been Prevented
• Warning Signs were Ignored!
• Worked in Highly stressed workplace.
• Chronic Labor/Management Disputes.
• Refused to cooperate with immediate supervisor.
• Consistently argued with co-workers.
• Belligerent toward customers.
• Argued increasingly with everybody.
• Refused to obey company policy.
• Saw self as a victim.

VIOLENCE IS PREVENTABLE
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing
Levels of Violence

Level Three
Level Two
Level One
LEVELS OF VIOLENCE
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing

• Level One
• Refuses to cooperate with immediate supervisor.
• Spreads rumors and gossips to harm others.
• Consistently argues with co-workers.
• Belligerent toward customers / clients.
• Verbally Abusive.
• Makes unwanted sexual comments / advances.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing

• Level Two (Covert Violence)
• Argues increasingly with customers, co-workers,
  and management.
• Resists Authority (refuses to obey company
  policy, etc.), Insubordinate.
• Vandalizes / sabotages equipment and steals or
  damages property.
• Verbalizes wishes to hurt co-workers and/or
  management.
• Sees self as victimized by management.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing

• Level Three (Overt Violence)
• Frequent displays of intense anger resulting in
• Recurrent homicidal or suicidal threats.
• Recurrent verbal threats.
• Recurrent physical fights (incl. pushing
  shoving)
• Destruction of property.
• Utilization of weapons to harm others
• Commits acts of aggression (murder, rape, arson,
  etc.)
• Road Rage, and other abusive behaviors.

LEVELS OF VIOLENCE
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing

• Symptoms of Risk
• Negative and recent change in behavior
• Defensive, overreacts to comments or criticisms
• Frequent disputes with supervisor
• Routine violation of organizations policies
• Verbal threats of violence

SYMPTOMS OF RISK
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing

• Symptoms of Risk
• Harassment of co-workers
• History of impulsivity
• Difficulty handling angry feelings
• Current personal difficulties
• Overwhelming feelings of powerlessness

SYMPTOMS OF RISK
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing

• Symptoms of Risk
• Disregard for social norms
• Alcohol abuse
• Warning -- Risk Factors are Not Predictors
• Red Flags -- Question change in someones behavior

SYMPTOMS OF RISK
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing
RED FLAGS If an employee displays a dramatic
behavior or personality change and suddenly
becomes hostile, it is vital for the supervisors
and co-workers to find out why the change has
occurred. Red Flags Question change in
someones behavior
RED FLAGS
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing

• What to Do If You Suspect Trouble
• Remain calm, be alert and LISTEN!
• Let the person talk the aggression out.
• Be polite, respectful and patient.
• Speak in a low-tone voice.
• Get help (have someone call security/police)
• Remove access to weapons
• Notify and protect targets of violence

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT TROUBLE
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing

• What to Do
• When Faced With Someone Who Is Violent
• Remain calm, be alert and LISTEN!
• Call security or civilian police
• Direct the person or persons who are the target
  of the confrontation to leave the scene
• Refrain from physically attempting to force
  persons to leave

WHAT TO WITH SOMEONE VIOLENT
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing

• What Supervisors Should Do
• to Prevent Violence
• Be consistently fair in treatment of personnel
• Immediately intervene when threats occur
• Report threats immediately to chain of command
• Know what support options are available
• Realize that some individuals will test the
  boundaries

WHAT SUPERVISORS CAN DO
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing

• What to Avoid Doing If You Suspect Trouble
• Do not confront or try to reason with an angry
  person
• Do not dismiss the issue as not my problem
• Do not assume that someone will not act out
  violently

WHAT TO AVOID DOING
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing

• Tips for Motorists
• Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver
• Stay cool dont react to provocation
• Keep away from drivers behaving erratically
• Do not make obscene gestures
• Use your horn sparingly
• Dont take your eyes off the road
• Dont block the passing lane

TIPS FOR MOTORISTS
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing
Key Thought The life saved may be your own!
KEY THOUGHT
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NGB/HC Violence Awareness Briefing
QUESTIONS?
END OF BRIEFING