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As you know it’s suicide prevention month.
For over a year back in 2010 and 2011 I studied suicide prevention for my Master’s degree project.
It was personal.
For over a year back in 2010 and 2011 I studied suicide prevention for my Master’s degree project.
It was personal.
Someone asked me for my thesis this past week and I was excited!
See, upon completion in 2011 I sent it to anyone and everyone. Then silence. While I used my findings in how I lead, my vision that this would help the Army didn’t seem to pan out. I hope this changes positively.
See, upon completion in 2011 I sent it to anyone and everyone. Then silence. While I used my findings in how I lead, my vision that this would help the Army didn’t seem to pan out. I hope this changes positively.
During my research I found Dr. Thomas Joiner’s Interpersonal Theory of Suicide ( @thomasjoiner @JoinerLab) resonated most with me because I felt (feel) that it can be easily taught.
Now, there’s a whole bunch of people out there telling you to do push-ups, arm hangs, and all sorts of things to raise awareness.
This has been a problem for over 20 years. We are aware.
Social media challenges don’t prevent suicide.
Giving a damn about people does.
This has been a problem for over 20 years. We are aware.
Social media challenges don’t prevent suicide.
Giving a damn about people does.
Dr. Thomas Joiner posits three requirements for suicide:
1. “Acquired capability” - lack of fear of death, desensitized to pain
2. Thwarted sense of belonging
3. A sense of burdensomeness
Let’s talk about each one and I’ll use my words.
I hope @thomasjoiner can add to this...
1. “Acquired capability” - lack of fear of death, desensitized to pain
2. Thwarted sense of belonging
3. A sense of burdensomeness
Let’s talk about each one and I’ll use my words.
I hope @thomasjoiner can add to this...
Acquired Capability:
The desensitization of ones self to the concept and fear of death and pain, specifically your own. This is called “acquired” because it goes against instinct and human nature.
The desensitization of ones self to the concept and fear of death and pain, specifically your own. This is called “acquired” because it goes against instinct and human nature.
Acquired capability:
One could argue desensitization to death is a byproduct, intentional or not, of military service. Service members prepare to preserve peace through the execution of armed conflict where the stakes cost lives.
One could argue desensitization to death is a byproduct, intentional or not, of military service. Service members prepare to preserve peace through the execution of armed conflict where the stakes cost lives.
Acquired Capability:
Resiliency principles, while primarily good and necessary to a host of other stresses and challenges, can make this aspect more pronounced and solid.
Resiliency principles, while primarily good and necessary to a host of other stresses and challenges, can make this aspect more pronounced and solid.
Thwarted Belonging:
Leaders at all levels have influence on dispelling this belief. It takes being involved. It involves discussion. Explaining the worth of the individual to you personally and the team.
You belong here. You’re one of us.
Leaders at all levels have influence on dispelling this belief. It takes being involved. It involves discussion. Explaining the worth of the individual to you personally and the team.
You belong here. You’re one of us.
Thwarted Belonging:
“The other day you did X and it allowed us to do Y. That was really important and you helped make the team better. I’m really glad you’re part of our team - you’re making a huge impact.”
Getting someone to feel like the belong can be as easy as saying that.
“The other day you did X and it allowed us to do Y. That was really important and you helped make the team better. I’m really glad you’re part of our team - you’re making a huge impact.”
Getting someone to feel like the belong can be as easy as saying that.
Thwarted Belonging:
Hazing doesn’t build teams. It doesn’t enhance belonging. It breaks teams down. It is counter to our ethics and morals. My thoughts on this have not changed. If nothing else, they’ve grown stronger.
https://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/hazing-is-simply-intolerable">https://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/hazi...
Hazing doesn’t build teams. It doesn’t enhance belonging. It breaks teams down. It is counter to our ethics and morals. My thoughts on this have not changed. If nothing else, they’ve grown stronger.
https://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/hazing-is-simply-intolerable">https://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/hazi...
Sense of Burdensomeness:
Closely related, you dispel the sense of burdensomeness by demonstrating and articulating what and how someone contributes. By explaining how important they are. By connecting their existence to positivity. This is a leader’s job.
Closely related, you dispel the sense of burdensomeness by demonstrating and articulating what and how someone contributes. By explaining how important they are. By connecting their existence to positivity. This is a leader’s job.
Sense of Burdensomeness:
No one wants to be a drag on their family or their team. No one wants to fail. Some people take failure much harder and more personally than others. These are the times to intervene and give pep talks, not pile on.
No one wants to be a drag on their family or their team. No one wants to fail. Some people take failure much harder and more personally than others. These are the times to intervene and give pep talks, not pile on.
Sense of Burdensomeness:
What is the reason we place negative connotation on counseling? Because most counselings are corrective or developmental in nature. Reinforcing worth through periodic counseling and positive counseling is vital.
Leaders- it’s your job.
What is the reason we place negative connotation on counseling? Because most counselings are corrective or developmental in nature. Reinforcing worth through periodic counseling and positive counseling is vital.
Leaders- it’s your job.
How do we best combat suicides?
Care. Give a damn. Treat people how they want and deserve to be treated. Value those around you. Give someone your time by talking with them and LISTENING to them actively with empathy.
Care. Give a damn. Treat people how they want and deserve to be treated. Value those around you. Give someone your time by talking with them and LISTENING to them actively with empathy.
