SafeTALK: Acronym to save a life Published Dec. 16, 2010 By Senior Airman Sondra Escutia 49th Wing Public Affairs HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- SafeTALK. It is two simple words with a big meaning, and it is gradually making its way into the minds of all Team Holloman members. While chaplains and assistants with the 49th Wing Chapel have always been available to assist Team Holloman members in need, they've recently begun teaching the safeTALK concept to combat an alarming trend in Air Combat Command -- suicides. "At the initial training we received back in spring we we're told the organization struggling the worst with suicides per capita in all of the Department of Defense is ACC," said Chaplain (Capt.) Kelly Stahl. "This is something we take very seriously and we need to be proactive. We can't just wait until someone else commits suicide before we get serious about it. "What we're trying to do is get people to be a little bit more open about suicide, get people to listen for what they call 'invitations,' which are ways that people give off signs of suicide," he added. "We're hoping to create a community that's comfortable enough to ask the tough question." The 'safe' in safeTALK, he explained, stands for Suicide Alertness For Everyone, and the 'TALK' serves two purposes: to encourage the idea that open communication about suicide is the best way to prevent it and also to provide an easily recognizable four-step process to help someone who's struggling. Chaplain Stahl gave a brief explanation of the process: T: Tell -- the initial step. He explained this step involves someone telling you through invitations that they need help. These are different for each person, but common invitations include withdrawal from family and friends, misuse of drugs or alcohol or a sudden mood change from sad to very happy. "A big part of this class is about relationships because you're not going to see these signs in anybody or any stranger on the street. These are signs you will see with your coworkers, your friends and your family." A: Ask. After recalling the invitations you've witnessed in the individual, ask the tough question: "Are you thinking about suicide?" "It's important to be able to have the courage to ask the questions and part of that courage comes from the training." L: Listen. Listen to the individual. "Listening goes a long way in helping somebody. It lets them know you care, while also letting them know you are there for them." K: KeepSafe. This is a list of resources to turn to for help, called KeepSafe Connections. "Get them to a KeepSafe connection and keep yourself safe. Don't put yourself in harm's way. If you need to get out of a situation, call for help." So far, the Chapel has trained more than 150 Airmen on the safeTALK concept, but Chaplain Stahl said they hope to train each and every Team Holloman member on how to recognize if someone needs help and how to help them "save their own life." He added that just as Airmen go to technical training to learn their job, or to the shooting range to learn to fire a weapon, this training aims to make people comfortable so if the real situation arises, they can be prepared. A few students who have attended the course said it has done just that. "It was an excellent training. I feel more comfortable to talk to people about it. I feel I could HELP someone. Thanks!" wrote a student on the end of course survey. Another student agreed. "No one should miss out on this training. It can get/be emotional if you have been through a situation similar to it, but in the end it will help." As Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy stated in a previous article, "Even one suicide is too many!" and the Chapel staff at Holloman hopes the safeTALK training will play an essential role in suicide prevention. "We need to kind of get over our taboos," said Chaplain Stahl. "We need to be able to say 'If you're thinking about suicide, please come forward to get help,' because suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem." The 49th WG Chapel will continue to conduct the interactive safeTALK training to units one at a time, and starting January 2011, the training will be held on a weekly basis for anyone wanting to attend. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please contact one of the following KeepSafe connections available to all members of Team Holloman: Chapel: 572-7211 Mental Health: 572-5676 Command Post (After Duty Hours): 572-7575 New Mexico Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE National Suicide Prevention: 1-800-273-TALK Military One Source: 1-800-432-9647 Airman and Family Readiness Center: 572-7754 Military Family Life Consultant: 551-1276