1. The purpose of this position paper is to identify how ineffective the current Air Force Suicide Prevention Program is and why it is ineffective. First, this paper will cover the problem with the ineffectiveness of the Air Force Suicide Prevention Program. Second, this paper will cover possible solutions that the military should consider implementing for this program. These solutions include providing a psychiatric evaluation at the Military Entry Processing Station (MEPS), increasing face-to-face training, and adding Air Force Storytellers to brief members. Lastly, a recommendation will be provided as to which one of the identified solutions would better suite this program and why.
2. Suicide has been an ongoing problem in the Air Force for years.1 The current Air Force Suicide Prevention Program only includes computer-based training, small group sessions, and teaching members how to identify warning signs of suicide. However, there are more effective ways to help combat this issue. As of fiscal year 2015 the Air Force ranked second out of the four active duty military components with a total of 60 suicides.2 Additionally, this issue has forced the Air Force to invest millions of dollars and an enormous amount of man-hours to find solutions …show more content…
The first possible solution that the military could implement to correct the problem is to provide psychiatric evaluation at MEPS. Psychiatric evaluations can be used to screen for potential indicators of mental instability or inability to handle stress.3 The second possible solution is to increase face-to-face training. This training will allow members to fully discuss issues that may be concerns in their life as well as provide a community approach to suicide prevention.4 The final solution is to add members from the Air Force Storytellers Program to base suicide briefings. This solution will give Air Force members a chance to hear stories from suicide survivors or from members who have been impacted by
2. Suicide has been an ongoing problem in the Air Force for years.1 The current Air Force Suicide Prevention Program only includes computer-based training, small group sessions, and teaching members how to identify warning signs of suicide. However, there are more effective ways to help combat this issue. As of fiscal year 2015 the Air Force ranked second out of the four active duty military components with a total of 60 suicides.2 Additionally, this issue has forced the Air Force to invest millions of dollars and an enormous amount of man-hours to find solutions …show more content…
The first possible solution that the military could implement to correct the problem is to provide psychiatric evaluation at MEPS. Psychiatric evaluations can be used to screen for potential indicators of mental instability or inability to handle stress.3 The second possible solution is to increase face-to-face training. This training will allow members to fully discuss issues that may be concerns in their life as well as provide a community approach to suicide prevention.4 The final solution is to add members from the Air Force Storytellers Program to base suicide briefings. This solution will give Air Force members a chance to hear stories from suicide survivors or from members who have been impacted by