In an address on Wednesday, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall underscored the continued challenge of combating suicides within the ranks, describing the figures as “relatively steady” despite endeavors to prioritize mental well-being and reinforce firearm safety measures.
Kendall, engaged in a livestreamed dialogue alongside Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass, expressed, “Each instance of suicide resonates as a preventable tragedy.”
This observation provides the most recent insight into the Air Force’s protracted endeavor to counter a surge in suicides that mirrors a broader crisis witnessed across the armed forces and society at large.
Data from the Pentagon’s recent quarterly update indicate that in the initial quarter of 2023, twenty-four airmen are suspected to have lost their lives to suicide, reflecting a pattern congruent with trends seen over the past couple of years.
In 2022, within the active duty force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard, approximately ninety airmen were believed to have succumbed to suicide, according to Pentagon records. Nonetheless, this count remains tentative until the conclusion of investigations scrutinizing the circumstances encompassing each demise.
Should this count endure, it would surpass the 71 suicides verified in 2021, albeit falling short of the numbers recorded in 2020 and 2019, when 110 airmen tragically ended their lives.
Kendall accentuated that approximately 25 in every 100,000 service members succumb to suicide annually. This statistic contrasts with the national average of 15 suicides per 100,000 Americans, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Kendall remarked, “This is an issue that could potentially arise in any community, and it is imperative for us all to remain vigilant.”
The timing of Kendall’s pronouncements coincides with the Pentagon’s initiation of fresh protocols designed to inspire troops to self-disclose concerns related to mental health, including suicidal thoughts, and streamline their access to necessary assistance.
Embedded within the 2021 legislation and set for implementation this year, the “Brandon Act” enables military personnel to solicit swift referrals to mental health services directly from their commanders or supervisors.
Seeking help is unencumbered by the need to provide a rationale, and these requests are obligatory for commanders and supervisors to honor, facilitating expedited appointments with mental health clinics by the subsequent day.
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass remarked on the efficacy of the “Brandon Act,” affirming that it expedites access to mental health services, creating an accelerated avenue to engage with mental health providers.
While commanders maintain the prerogative to proactively refer troops to mental health services, and individuals can autonomously seek care without involving their chain of command, the Air Force has inaugurated a contingent of approximately 60 professionals tasked with brainstorming methods to enhance the resilience of both troops and their families.
Proposals encompass the transformation of a localized suicide prevention initiative dubbed “ASIST” into a comprehensive service-wide campaign. Developed by advocacy group LivingWorks, this two-day training program educates participants in recognizing signs of potential suicide risk, intervening effectively, and devising strategies to ensure safety.
Bass additionally advocated the establishment of on-base wellness centers that coalesce therapists, chaplains, and assorted resources within a centralized facility.
These reforms would build upon earlier initiatives, including the wider distribution of gun locks to impede rapid access to lethal firearms, institution of localized wellness teams attuned to specific base stressors, increased visibility of mental health resources, destigmatization of help-seeking behaviors, and more.
Bass affirmed, “These initiatives are presently underway, and I anticipate unveiling them to the field in the upcoming weeks.”
The Air Force continues to refine training related to leadership during mental health crises and access to relevant services. Aiming to institute mandatory professional development seminars known as “foundations” courses for enlisted airmen, these sessions will equip personnel with skills to navigate challenging conversations encompassing mental health concerns, among other facets of effective leadership.
Both Kendall and Bass extolled the importance of airmen and guardians seeking support from trustworthy confidants, maintaining engagement in enjoyable activities, fostering wholesome habits, and pursuing professional help when necessary.
Kendall affirmed, “Mental health constitutes an integral facet of overall well-being and warrants equivalent treatment. The act of seeking assistance when needed is emblematic of courage and resilience.”
