692d Podcast

Medications are a common way that people succumb to suicide. Ensure that you are removing those from your house or cabinets once they are no longer needed. Suicidal ideations can manifest physical pains and the painkillers that are prescribed seem like a logical course of action. The Motrin 800 or Tylenol with Codeine that was prescribed for a root canal 6 months ago that is still sitting in your cabinet is not an answer for the manifested pains of depression or emotional trauma. Make sure that you flush the medications that can be flushed or return the unused or unnecessary medicines that are lingering around months after the requirement. The website below is a good start, but if you have any questions, reach out and we will find the answer for you.

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/safe-disposal-medicines/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know

Day Nine is a prescription, watch some comedy. Find the person in the shop that can always make you laugh in have a conversation with them. If you are into stupid stories that are highly inappropriate, read some Tucker Max stories. If you need to watch Bo Burnham, Dane Cook, Larry the Cable Guy, Jeff Foxworthy, or even take it old school and watch Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor's stand-up, do so. Whatever you find funny, please take some time and have a great laugh. It'll do wonders for your body, mind, and spirit.

Suicide myths and misconceptions hinder both the support teams and persons that need the support. Although our numbers are much higher than any of us would like, as in ZERO Suicides, we can't get there without dispelling some of the stigmas that come along with them. Remember that asking for help is a difficult step and one that takes a lot of courage and dedication, but so worth the effort for yourself and those around you. Remember that you have a team here to help shoulder some of that effort. Here are the websites discussed in the episode. If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

- https://www.greatlifehawaii.com/programs/d8e68386-e034-4d05-b764-453df35fdf7f

- www.dspo.mil

COVID has forced innovation upon us. Whether it be learning how to maximize our time out of the office, build off of new technologies such as Platform One and CVR Teams, or how we deal with children that have no outlet for their abundant stores of energy. Take the time to think about how you innovated through this time and remember that the same innovation can be put towards other stressors in your life. COVID showed us that we can find a way through some insurmountable obstacles so remember that when the days are difficult and you think that there is no way through your current struggles. You all have a team of people willing to sit down and brainstorm through whatever issues you've got on your plate; personal or professional.

Day Six is taking stock of our Self Care. Stressors and self-care strategies are vital to a healthy work/life harmony. As a linguist, I have a Individualized Language Training Plan and for my self-care, I have a Individualized Self-Care Plan. One is mandated by the Air Force. The other is how I ensure that take stock in my emotional, mental, and physical health on a weekly basis to ensure I am able to continue to bring the best of me to my family, my friends, and you all. See the Facebook post for the tips and strategy that I used.

Day Five is reinforcing the idea of connections. I talk about the primary reason I am seeking therapy, the sinking of the Cheonan Warship. I urge you to reach out to someone, either friend or professional, if you are experiencing overwhelming feelings or intrusive thoughts. These are two of the biggest events in my life that drove me to seeking help. I opened up to my wife about what I was going through and let her know that I was reaching out to Mental Health to get them under control. There is a daily effort being made to ensure that I strengthen my own resilience and I can only recommend the same for each of you. Life can get ugly unexpectedly and being mentally and emotionally strong is vital to guarantee that we can make it through.

Day Four is about stress relief. Stress is a daily thing with our jobs and we need to find daily paths to relieve it. Today we'll talk about a few options but I know that we have some inventive Airmen and Guardians in this Group. Let me know what your "Go-to" stress relief technique is.

Day Three is about knowing your resources. Google Hickam Mental Health and the top four results are all you need. 15th Medical Group, 15 MDG Mental Health, Tricare Medical Treatment Facility Finder, Great Life Hawaii - Medical Services. We have a Suicide Prevention Coordinator on base, we have an ART that is available 24/7, we have Supervisors, First Sergeants, and Commanders that are all one phone call away. Take the same steps I did and reach out when you need it. It's not easy and I know that better than most, but I have seen the strength of our Airmen as a Victim Advocate, Instructor, and Supervisor. If you need help getting to resources, let me know.

Day Two is about connection. Connections are what bind us together as human beings. When we isolate ourselves or withdraw from the world when we are not feeling like socializing, this could exacerbate the feelings that could lead us to believe that suicide is the only way out. Connections bring us to the realization that there are resources available to assist us. Each of us have people that care and hope the best for us, even though we may forget that from time to time.

Today's theme is important - Suicide Is Preventable. The Air Force has been using "ACE" for decades - Ask, Care, Escort. These are easy steps to take when you are concerned about a fellow Airman or Guardian. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has the #BeThe1To initiative that will be posted to the Facebook page. Please take the time to be there for your fellow human.