Suicide and interpersonal violence are serious issues that require comprehensive, seamless prevention, intervention, and postvention responses from exceptional leaders. In order to support readiness and build a more lethal force, leaders must foster and promote resilience among their Airmen. Leaders should familiarize themselves with available resiliency tools and resources to prevent and respond to crisis such as suicide or sexual assault.

Prevention Tools
Tools to build unit resilience and prevent crisis.
Intervention Tools
Tools for leading high-risk Airmen and navigating through a crisis.
Postvention Tools
Tools for reintegration and leading after a crisis.
Situational Exercises
Exercises that provide the opportunity for Leaders to test their knowledge, rehearse their actions, and refine contingency plans so they are better prepared to lead in times of crisis.
Task Force True North

An Airman's Story

Seeking help and gaining support from his Family and Leadership helped this Airman persevere through a difficult time. Now he's sharing his story to help his Wingmen thrive.

 

Reserves Resiliency

 

Continue reading commentary and article from October 2019 Citizen Airman

Resilience Multimedia

Research indicates a quarter of suicides occur within the first five minutes of an individual’s decision to take his or her life. In the Air Force, personally-owned firearms are used in 70% of suicide attempts. So in many cases, just five minutes can mean the difference between life and death. That’s why during September – Suicide Prevention Awareness Month – the Air Force is introducing a new approach to suicide prevention called Time-Based Prevention – to focus on the “means” of suicide. Suicide attempts with a firearm are 90% lethal. Safely stored firearms, or firearms safely removed from the home and stored securely, require deliberate access actions to operate, creating a barrier and assisting in the prevention of suicide attempts using firearms. Time-based Prevention efforts are not intended to limit or prohibit the legal ownership or use of firearms for individuals. Airmen are encouraged to go “SLO” by storing firearms in proper storage safes, use cable locks when firearms are not in use and use local armories or ranges with storage options.
Time Based Suicide Prevention
The Air Force is introducing a new approach to suicide prevention called Time-Based Prevention – to focus on the “means” of suicide. Suicide attempts with a firearm are 90% lethal. Safely stored firearms require deliberate access actions to operate,... ...More
Video
A look at how the 927th Development and Training Flight teaches trainees resilience before going off to Basic Military Training.
#ReserveResilience
A look at how the 927th Development and Training Flight teaches trainees resilience before going off to Basic Military Training.
Video
Members of the 145th Airlift Wing conduct a resiliency tactical pause to address Airmen mental health, and build relationships to combat suicide and stress in and out of the workplace.
145th Airlift Wing Pauses for Resiliency
Members of the 145th Airlift Wing conduct a resiliency tactical pause to address Airmen mental health, and build relationships to combat suicide and stress in and out of the workplace.
Video
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright shares his thoughts on the recent announcement of the Resilience Tactical Pause.
CMSAF Resilience Tactical Pause
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright shares his thoughts on the recent announcement of the Resilience Tactical Pause.
Video
This video includes clips from the other videos in the series and ties them together with the 21st Space Wing commanders message on resiliency. The goal is to highlight not just the resiliency programs the Air Force offers, but the impact that these programs have on the individuals who use them.
Peterson Resiliency Programs
This video includes clips from the other videos in the series and ties them together with the 21st Space Wing commanders message on resiliency. The goal is to highlight not just the resiliency programs the Air Force offers, but the impact that these... ...More
Video | Link Text
This is the full interview of Herschel Walker on resiliency and mental illness.
Herschel Walker Resiliency Interview
This is the full interview of Herschel Walker on resiliency and mental illness.
Video
The Air Force Office of Integrated Resilience recently unveiled a new website (https://www.resilience.af.mil) that highlights tools to help Airmen and their families thrive, and provide a culture of dignity and respect across the Total Force. These tools, including prevention, intervention and postvention lines of effort, aim to confront the challenges of sexual assault and suicide head-on, thereby developing a more resilient force.
Resilience Website Tools
The Air Force Office of Integrated Resilience recently unveiled a new website (https://www.resilience.af.mil) that highlights tools to help Airmen and their families thrive, and provide a culture of dignity and respect across the Total Force. These... ...More
Video
Research indicates a quarter of suicides occur within the first five minutes of an individual’s decision to take his or her life. In the Air Force, personally-owned firearms are used in 70% of suicide attempts. So in many cases, just five minutes can mean the difference between life and death. That’s why during September – Suicide Prevention Awareness Month – the Air Force is introducing a new approach to suicide prevention called Time-Based Prevention – to focus on the “means” of suicide. Suicide attempts with a firearm are 90% lethal. Safely stored firearms, or firearms safely removed from the home and stored securely, require deliberate access actions to operate, creating a barrier and assisting in the prevention of suicide attempts using firearms. Time-based Prevention efforts are not intended to limit or prohibit the legal ownership or use of firearms for individuals. Airmen are encouraged to go “SLO” by storing firearms in proper storage safes, use cable locks when firearms are not in use and use local armories or ranges with storage options.
A look at how the 927th Development and Training Flight teaches trainees resilience before going off to Basic Military Training.
Members of the 145th Airlift Wing conduct a resiliency tactical pause to address Airmen mental health, and build relationships to combat suicide and stress in and out of the workplace.
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright shares his thoughts on the recent announcement of the Resilience Tactical Pause.
This video includes clips from the other videos in the series and ties them together with the 21st Space Wing commanders message on resiliency. The goal is to highlight not just the resiliency programs the Air Force offers, but the impact that these programs have on the individuals who use them.
This is the full interview of Herschel Walker on resiliency and mental illness.
The Air Force Office of Integrated Resilience recently unveiled a new website (https://www.resilience.af.mil) that highlights tools to help Airmen and their families thrive, and provide a culture of dignity and respect across the Total Force. These tools, including prevention, intervention and postvention lines of effort, aim to confront the challenges of sexual assault and suicide head-on, thereby developing a more resilient force.

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Building Strength Through Partnerships

 

The 655th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing, 718th Intelligence Squadron, makes taking care of Airmen a priority, providing services and events designed to discuss and actively participate in team resilience training.  

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Ask*Care*Escort

If you have identified an airman that may be considering suicide, it’s important to Ask your Wingman directly about what’s going on. This will help you determine what needs to be done next. Ask about issues early rather than waiting for things to escalate to the point of crisis. Take all comments about suicide seriously. Be an active listener and let your Wingman tell you about their challenges. Although it can be awkward, it’s important to ask the tough questions about whether or not your Wingman is thinking about harming or killing himself. If the answer is yes, or if you even suspect that the answer is yes, don’t leave the person alone.

Care for your Wingman by calmly listening and expressing concern. Don’t be judgmental or promise secrecy. If your Wingman is having thoughts of suicide, you need to act. Remove anything he could use to hurt himself and immediately seek help.

The final step is to Escort your Wingman immediately to the nearest emergency room, Mental Health Clinic, chaplain, or primary care clinic, and contact the supervisor or chain of command. If a distressed Airman refuses help or you're not sure what to do, call your supervisor or 911 for help. Never leave an Airman who is having thoughts of suicide alone, even to go to the bathroom.

Ask Your

Wingman

  • Have the courage to ask the question, but stay calm
  • Ask the question directly: Are you thinking of killing yourself? 
  • And, do you have access to a firearm?

Care For Your

Wingman

  • Calmly control the situation; do not use force; be safe
  • Actively listen to show under­standing and produce relief
  • Remove any means that could be used for self-injury

Escort Your

Wingman

  • Never leave your buddy alone

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