Hill Air Force Base takes steps to stop suicides

Hill wing breaks to address suicides
By Joseph M. Dougherty

Deseret News

Published: Wednesday, June 3, 2009

HILL AIR FORCE BASE — Two civilian suicides in recent weeks have prompted the commander of the 309th Maintenance Wing to have his employees "stand down" during two shifts for mandatory talks about suicide prevention.

The two suicides, one of which happened in the past week, bring the base total to four for the year.

That total puts Hill Air Force Base's suicide rate of 17 per 100,000 above Utah's rate of 15.2 per 100,000.

The suicide-prevention talks centered around the importance of communication and how employees can help find those who are in a personal crisis, said Rich Essary, spokesman for the base's 75th Air Base Wing.

Employees of the 309th also attended presentations by the wing's wellness advocates, who showed a 30-minute video about suicide prevention.

Wellness advocates are like emergency friends — listeners who can suggest productive courses of action. Eight wellness advocates are assigned to the 309th, and some have been credited with helping workers regain focus and work their way out of depression.

Brig. Gen. John Cooper, commander of the 309th, said he realizes he has employees who have financial, relationship, medical, substance-abuse or emotional problems. He wants to create an environment in which his employees are wingmen who look out for one another.
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Hill wing breaks to address suicides