ANGAIM Briefing - PowerPoint

							NGB/HC   Suicide Prevention Briefing




                               INTRODUCTION
   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 do’s and don’ts of successful suicide
  intervention.

                                OBJECTIVES & GOALS
   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
    NGB/HC   Suicide Prevention Briefing


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


                               MYTHS ABOUT SUICIDE
    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 Tom’s part, and the issue was
thought to be over. Months later, the motorcyclist’s 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
    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
   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
NGB/HC   Suicide Prevention Briefing




                          BALANCING LIFE’S STRESS
NGB/HC   Suicide Prevention Briefing




                          BALANCING LIFE’S STRESS
   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 LIFE’S STRESS
   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
   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
   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
   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 on’t keep it a secret

• L ocate help
• I nform family and individual’s support network
• F ind someone to stay with the person
• E xpedite – get help immediately
                                    WHAT TO DO
   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 on’t keep it a secret

• L ocate help
• I nform family and individual’s support network
• F ind someone to stay with the person
• E xpedite – get help immediately
                                    WHAT TO DO
   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!
   NGB/HC   Suicide Prevention Briefing


                      Key Points
• People are the Air National Guard’s 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
NGB/HC   Suicide Prevention Briefing




         QUESTIONS?


                  END OF SUICIDE PREVENTION BRIEFING
NGB/HC   Violence Awareness Briefing




                              INTRODUCTION
   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
   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
   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
   NGB/HC   Violence Awareness Briefing
                 Case History (con’t)
• 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 unit’s 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
  NGB/HC   Violence Awareness Briefing
                Case History (con’t)
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
   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
NGB/HC   Violence Awareness Briefing

              Levels of Violence

                                       Level Three



                       Level Two



         Level One


                            LEVELS OF VIOLENCE
   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
   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
   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
   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 organization’s policies
• Verbal threats of violence




                               SYMPTOMS OF RISK
   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
   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 someone’s
  behavior




                               SYMPTOMS OF RISK
  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 someone’s
                       behavior


                                   RED FLAGS
   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
   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
   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
   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
   NGB/HC   Violence Awareness Briefing

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

                              TIPS FOR MOTORISTS
 NGB/HC   Violence Awareness Briefing


                  Key Thought




The life saved may be your own!




                                KEY THOUGHT
NGB/HC   Violence Awareness Briefing




         QUESTIONS?



                             END OF BRIEFING