Students will learn methods to prevent suicide by learning its traceable causes. Rather than focusing on individual risk factors, this course is designed to explain how creating an environment to encourage help seeking behavior can alter an individual's trajectory from reaching suicide. Individual, company level & departmental methods for prevention will be explained. Suicide tragically results when the decedent incorrectly concludes their death could be a service to others. While there are numerous causes of suicide, there are a few common risk factors that can be identified early to help with intervention. Social isolation and withdrawing from others is one of the greatest risk factors. One long standing model that explains suicidal behavior will be discussed in detail. Dr. Joiner's model, The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, demonstrates that suicide occurs when 3 factors intersect: thwarted sense of belonging, perception that he/she is a burden, and capacity to engage in lethal action. If we remove one of these factors, the risk for suicide is reduced. I posit that by creating a culture of acceptance and understanding through positive social support, we can make strides at preventing suicide. Additionally, I discuss the varied causes that lead to fire service suicide which can be work-related, personal, or a combination. Resources like peer support and treatment to prevent maladaptive coping will be explained.
Key objectives are:
• Suicide as a dark secret in the fire service
• Risk factors for suicide
• Protective factors associated with prevention, and methods of stress management.
• Company Officer / Department responsibilities.