I just read an article from another Air Force base about an active duty suicide and how the commander dealt with the aftermath.

I’ve had my suicide awareness training and I have informational pamphlets and training materials on the subject.

It’s all very interesting, but it could never happen to anyone in my squadron. We’re a tight knit group, I know my folks well and I would see it coming, right? That couldn’t be further from the truth.

I have received that late night phone call telling me one of my folks had tried to take his own life and was being transported to the hospital. Fortunately, he chose a method that takes time to work and was caught in the act.

I had talked to the person that very afternoon and he seemed just fine. The actual reason for the attempt was not job related at all. The final straw was a relationship issue.

Another time, I found out that a month earlier a member of my squadron had confided in another squadron member that he was thinking about suicide.

The “suicidal” one told his friend not to worry because he would never really follow through with it. He also asked him not to tell anyone.

About the same time I heard this I received a call from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations telling me that an insurance agent, a retired military member, had contacted them about an Air Force member who had been asking the agent some very troubling questions.

The agent was concerned enough to call someone. The OSI quickly tracked me down to notify me. It was the same squadron member. Was he serious? He told me he wasn’t when I asked him about it. I wouldn’t stake his life on what I believed or didn’t believe he was capable of doing. I talked him into seeking help and I followed up to make sure he went.

More than 30,000 Americans take their own lives every year. One person dies by his or her own hand every 18 minutes. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in the Air Force.

These statistics are very real to me. I have seen more military members or their children lose their lives due to suicide than all of the other causes of death put together.

People are our most valuable resource. We can’t afford to lose someone to something we could have prevented if we just knew what to look for. It’s everyone’s job to prevent it. Co-workers and friends are in the best position to see subtle changes in behavior that might indicate a person is having trouble and needs help.

There are many reasons for suicide. They include financial problems, relationships, job stress, self-esteem, drugs, disciplinary proceedings and others.

Sometimes the reasons don’t seem to make a lot of sense to us. But the common thread is that, to the person contemplating it, there is no other way out. They usually really do want help. But, they just don’t want any more pain.

More than 75 percent of people who have completed suicide provided indications that they were in trouble in the weeks and months preceding the event.

For many of our folks, it’s their first time away from home. They get into difficulty and haven’t developed a support network. But, not only our young folks are at risk. Overwhelming depression and helplessness can affect people of any age. To be able to help we have to recognize the signs.

Suicide awareness training is mandatory for all Air Force personnel. We’re the first-line defense against this tragedy. Training is being scheduled for July 12 and 23 at the family support center. Other sessions will be scheduled as needed to complete the entire base. Call 754-9677, or e-mail richard.parry@mcguire.af.mil to schedule your unit.