| National Guard takes suicide intervention training to the VA |
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Integrated Service Network 10 (VISN 10) sponsored an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop Nov. 29-30, 2007 at the VA Chalmers P. Wylie Outpatient Clinic. The workshop was facilitated by Ohio Army National Guard chaplains Lt. Col. Drew Aquino and Capt. James Sizemore. The ASIST program is designed to help all caregivers become more willing, ready and able to help persons at risk. The two-day intensive, interactive and practice-dominated course, attended by VA mental health professionals and members of the VISN 10 Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Seamless Transition team, helps attendees recognize risk and learn how to intervene to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. “The training we received from these certified trainers, who know from firsthand experience about intervening in the prevention of suicide both in the theater of war and stateside was invaluable,” said Deb Page, VISN 10 OIF/OEF lead program manager. The main stumbling block to suicide prevention is the taboo nature of the subject. Only sensational suicides or those involving celebrities are publicized. Many others are kept quiet to protect family survivors. This leads the general public to believe suicide is rare and only affects certain kinds of people. Nothing could be further from the truth. Suicidal behaviors, in some form, are likely to affect everyone in a personal way. They may be suicidal themselves or be close to someone who attempts or completes suicide. Suicidal behaviors are common to all people—young and old, male and female, rich and poor. Aquino, who served as one of the trainers for the workshop, said learning to recognize the possibility of suicide and how to ask directly about suicidal intentions of someone you are worried about, are two of the key aspects of emergency first aid in suicide prevention. According to Aquino, the major signs of suicide danger include, but are not limited to, the following: changes in behavior or personality, feeling of desperation, helplessness, hopelessness, aloneness, loss and most importantly, suicide statements expressing a desire or intention to die. Whenever these signs or other indicators of danger are seen, immediate first aid action is necessary to prevent the risk of suicide. Information and advice on suicide prevention is available through the Department of Veterans Affairs by calling the toll-free hot line number at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contacting Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647. |
