Kirtland AFB offers resources during Suicide Prevention Month and year-round

  • Published
  • By John Cochran
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  

In 2019, the Air Force lost 137 Airmen to suicide.

 

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and Kirtland Air Force Base offers helpful resources during the month, and year-round, in the continuing nationwide effort to prevent needless loss of life.

 

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, founded in 1987 by families who had lost someone to suicide, is a national, not-for-profit, voluntary organization dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy. The AFSP reports on its website (https://afsp.org) that suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people age 15 to 24. The highest overall rate of suicide is for adults age 40 to 59.

 

Capt. Ryan Warner, a psychologist with the 377th Medical Group at Kirtland AFB, said, “If you find that you or someone you know is struggling, please seek or offer support. Well-being is a team sport, and none of us is expected to perform solo.”

 

Edith Wegner, 377th Air Base Wing Violence & Suicide Prevention Program Manager at Kirtland AFB, said multiple resources are available for people who need help with managing stress and overcoming thoughts of suicide.

 

“If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, many base, local area, state and national resources are available to help,” she said.

 

A list of those agencies and their contact information is below:

  • Kirtland AFB Behavioral Health Optimization Program: 505-846-3200
  • Kirtland AFB Mental Health Clinic: 505-846-3305
  • Kirtland AFB Chaplain Services: 505-846-5000
  • Kirtland AFB Military & Family Life Counselors 505-440-2481  //  505-415-4027  //  505-730-0080
  • U.S. Air Force Employee Assistance Program: www.afpc.af.mil/eap  // 1-866-580-9078
  • Agora Crisis Center Line and Chat 505-277-3013 or 866-HELP-1-NM or http://www.agoracares.org 
  • New Mexico Peer to Peer Crisis Line 1-855-662-7474  //  Warm Line 1-855-466-7100  //  www.nmcrisisline.com  
  • Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255, then press 1, or text “Signs” to 741741 for free crisis counseling through the Crisis Text Line.
  • Vet Center 1-877-WAR-VETS
  • Counseling, peer support and other resources for veterans and their loved ones at community-based offices across the U.S.  //  www.vetcenter.va.gov  
  • Military One Source 1-800-342-9647  //  www.MilitaryOne Source.mil  
  • Depression/Suicide Lifeline – Chat http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org  
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK  //  www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

For more information about suicide-prevention programs at Kirtland AFB, contact Wegner at edith.wegner@us.af.mil or 505-846-0288.