{"id":127,"date":"2023-08-17T22:17:04","date_gmt":"2023-08-17T22:17:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/journal.capchapcollege.org\/?page_id=127"},"modified":"2023-08-17T22:17:04","modified_gmt":"2023-08-17T22:17:04","slug":"action-plan-for-the-prevention-of-cadet-suicide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/journal.capchapcollege.org\/index.php\/creel-journal-summer-2023\/iv-resilience-and-spiritual-fitness\/action-plan-for-the-prevention-of-cadet-suicide\/","title":{"rendered":"Action Plan for the Prevention of Cadet Suicide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lt. Col. Arnold Staton, CAP<\/em><\/p>\n

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death among all Americans and the second leading cause of death among young (10-34) Americans. In 2019 (the latest year for which national statistics are available) there were 130 suicides per day or five suicides every hour in the United States. The 2019 suicide rate in Alabama was 16.4 per 100,000, which is higher than the 2018 U.S. rate of 14.5 per 100,000 (Age-adjusted rates were 16.3 per 100,000 and 13.9 per 100,000 respectively).\u201d (Suicide Prevention, 2022) If those statistics did not show that suicide was issue of concern statistical data obtained from the Centers for Disease Control Online Database (Underlying Cause of Death, 2018 – 2021, n.d.) shows that both nationally and in Alabama from 2019 \u2013 2021 Suicide is the third leading cause of deaths among teenagers 15 \u2013 19 years old. This fact should place a huge sense of urgency on all of those who work with youth to not only be aware of this threat but to be actively engaged in its prevention.<\/p>\n

So, who is ultimately responsible for working to prevent suicide? At its core suicide prevention is the ultimate safety issue, and as such working to prevent it is the responsibility of every member senior and cadet. While commanders have the overarching responsibility for ensuring the safety and well-being of the personnel, we all must work together to recognize those members of our CAP-Family who may be struggling.<\/p>\n

Suicide is something that does not present clear cut signs and symptoms. The following list are just a few items listed in the Air Force Family Suicide Prevention Discussion Manual and is just a starting point.<\/p>\n