September is National Suicide Prevention Month

  • Published
  • By Mr. Jimm Harper, Violence Prevention Integrator
  • 301st Fighter Wing

To all of my 301st Fighter Wing Total Force Brothers and Sisters,

The 301st Fighter Wing is joining the Department of Defense (DOD) in promoting Suicide Prevention Month to further educate our military community about suicide prevention, resources, and steps everyone can take to protect one another against suicide. Each September, the DOD and the Air Force observe Suicide Prevention Month to promote prevention resources across military communities and share ways that members can take simple action to Be There for others and for themselves.

This year’s SPM campaign slogan is Connect to Protect: Support is Within Reach, highlighting the important role connections with family, friends, the community, and resources play in preventing suicide, especially in these unique and challenging times. Research indicates connectedness is a key protective factor against some of the risk factors for suicide, such as loneliness or feeling like a burden. The slogan reinforces how everyone within reach – leaders, Service members, and families – can play a role in preventing suicide. Since we all have a role to play in suicide prevention, I would like to encourage everyone to show that Support is Within Reach by asking everyone to reach out to a fellow Airman this week to simply connect. A simple phone call or even a text or social media post can have a strong, positive effect on a fellow Airman. There doesn’t need to be an agenda or a specific goal to your call/text, just a simple message to let a fellow Airman know that you are thinking about them and wanted to say, “hello”! It only takes a few minutes, but the positive impact endures much longer!

Stay tuned to your military email, AF Connect App, and social media throughout the month of September, as the 301st FW Office of Violence Prevention
will share additional information that emphasizes the importance of suicide prevention and highlights available resources.

For more information of Suicide Prevention Month and resources available to service members and their families, please visit
www.dspo.mil/spm.

Service members and veterans who are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, and those who know a Service member or veteran in crisis, can call the Veterans/Military Crisis Line for confidential support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text to 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.

Please reach out to me if you have questions or for more information.

It is my privilege to serve beside you all! Thank you for your service and thank you for Being There for your fellow members!

Very Respectfully,

Jimm

Jimm Harper, MSSW, DAF
Violence Prevention Integrator (VPI)
Interpersonal and Self-Directed Violence Prevention Program Manager
301 Fighter Wing/VPI
DSN: 739-3145

"No one has to do everything, but everyone has to do something to make NAS Ft Worth JRB a safer place for our airmen, civilians, and families. What can you do to prevent Interpersonal and Self-Directed Violence?”

Military One Source: 1-800-342-9647
Military Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 option 1
Domestic Violence Hotline (includes resources for those experiencing stalking): 1-800-799-7233
DoD Safe Helpline (provides live, confidential support): 1-877-995-5247
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
National Human Trafficking Resource Center: 1-888-373-7888
 

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