Dying for some help
The ADF launches its Suicide Prevention Program to give ADF members the skills and knowledge to save lives

By Andrew Stackpool

“I wish there was absolutely no requirement for us to be here today launching a program focused on the prevention of suicide within the ADF.”

Director-General Defence Health Services Air Commodore Tony Austin made that comment at the launch of the ADF’s new Suicide Prevention Program SPP) on September 10 to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.

Suicide is the third highest cause of deaths in the ADF.

There are about seven or eight suicides a year and since 1996 there have been 462 reported cases of nonfatal related behaviour.

Head Defence Personnel executive, Rear Admiral Adams said, in launching the program that already a little bit of understanding and knowledge had saved lives, and laid down a challenge to the ADF.

“A death just doesn’t involve one, it involves all those around them,” he said.

“All commanders must take this seriously whether they wear uniform or not.

We cannot afford to launch this today and then let it peter out. Today is an auspicious start.

It is very apt that on World Suicide Day we embark on this long and enduring task.

We all in the ADF have a challenge before us to make it work.”

The ultimate aim of the program is to prevent people at risk being undetected, and a range of help is available to aid this (see separate story this page).

This goal is particularly important because international research during the current conflict in Iraq and following the 1991 Gulf War found that depression, substance and alcohol abuse can emerge years or even decades after the event.

In the ADF, the most common issues that lead to suicide are depression and personal stresses, including relationship problems, financial problems, legal/disciplinary problems and problematic use of alcohol.

Previously, it was believed that pre-recruitment screening would identify people at possible risk.

In the future, mental health screening will be part of routine health assessments to identify and offer intervention.

Lieutenant Colonel Stephanie Hodson and Lisa Congdon, of the ADF’s Directorate of Mental Health, said it was imperative the ADF embrace and confront suicide without attaching stigma to people.

Director of Psychology Colonel Tony Cotton said the key was to build “a community where people are aware of the issues that affect suicide, both the risk and protective issues so that we can better help our mates; engendering a sense that it is OK to seek help”.

“If people can do the training, they can then use that to make people aware that these things do happen and that they shouldn’t be frightened to talk about it,” COL Cotton said.

What should I do if someone is showing signs that they are contemplating suicide?
	Provide aid
A	ASK direct and DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK “Are you thinking of killing yourself?”
I	INTERVENE - Immediately assist the person to seek help
D	DON’T keep it a secret
	Secure life
L	LOCATE - HELP
I	INFORM - chain of command
F	FIND - someone to stay with the person
E	EXPEDITE - get help immediately

Key elements of the SPP

The SPP complements existing health and mental health services and has five key elements.

• The all-hours support line (ASL).
  
  This is a confidential telephone service operated by contract mental health practitioners who have been specially trained in ADF-specific issues.
  
  They act as a triage support line by assessing the situation and offering the caller the most suitable support, ranging from managing an emergency situation to referring non-urgent cases to relevant agencies the next day.
  
  These may be ADF health and counselling professionals or external agencies depending on the choice of the caller.
  
  
• The Department’s Mental Health website, which provides comprehensive and updated information to assist people who may be in crisis or need more detailed information and points of contact, supporting the ASL
  
  
• Fact Sheets on suicide and the ASL.
  
  These are part of a wide range of mental health fact sheets and provide relevant information and points of contact in an easy to read format.
  
  So far, 30,000 have been distributed.
  
  
• SPP training.
  
  Training in Suicide Awareness, which will be provided to all personnel, clinical upskilling for health professionals, specific training for commanders and ‘First Aid’ Training.
  
  This training is targeted at suicide awareness and intervention and trains health and non-health personnel to operate as caregivers in these roles.
  
  It provides them with the skills to identify people at risk of suicide and then provide the emergency suicide ‘first aid’ and life-assisting intervention, such as reassurance and support until the person can be passed on to health professionals.
  
  
• Policy development, reporting and support.
  
  An overarching policy for suicide related behaviour management is currently being developed in DMH.
  
  This will complement current policy on suicide management including the treatment and counselling of personnel and their families involved in suicide and non-fatal suicide related incidents.
  
  Support initiatives comprise the Risk Intervention Teams who assist the commander manage personnel who have been involved in non-fatal suicide events and Critical Incident Mental Health Support, established to support individuals who have been exposed to suicide trauma.
  
  
• ASL number is freecall 1800 628 036 or 61 29425 3878 for international callers.
  
  Website: www.defence.gov.au/dpe/dhs/mentalhealth/.
  
  The website may be accessed easily by links from the department’s homepage.
  
  Fact Sheets are available through unit medical centres or the local DCO office.

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