GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Goodfellow recognized Suicide Prevention Month with a 24-hour run/walk at the Mathis Field Track, here, Sept. 18, 2020.
About 660 Goodfellow members signed up for 15 minute time slots covering every minute from 7 a.m Sept. 18 to 7 a.m. Sept. 19. Participants pet, held, and played with dogs brought on base by a local shelter at the event.
Suicide prevention is always important; however, September is set aside as a month dedicated to focusing on one of the world’s biggest tragedies. It’s a time for honest conversations about mental health, suicide and the events leading up to it. Goodfellow leaders spoke on the subject and the importance of it.
“Sometimes, there’s older languages that have richer meanings that can help us understand something,” said Maj. Jeremiah Blackburn, 17th Training Wing chaplain. “There’s an old word in Greek used in the Roman era koinonia; we translate it loosely as fellowship. The military is a place where this fellowship can happen on a deeper level than other places. We share a common life; we have a common mutual interest; if you succeed, your brother and sister in arms succeed next to you. That’s why when we see another military member or someone with a military hat on, or we see a vet, we can easily connect with them because of that shared experience. That part of something bigger, we can exchange stories because of that shared life. And many times, the bonds that we have here form and last over a lifetime.”
Blackburn explained koinonia and the many ways we show it. It is as simple as asking your wingmen how they are feeling and if they need help.
In 2019 the Air Force experienced 137 suicides, a 33 percent increase from 2018. This made suicide the number one cause of death in the Air Force.
One of the main reasons we have suicide prevention month is to curb those feelings of loneliness.
“I want everyone to reach out to three folks that they know and care about,” said Donna Casey, 17th TRW Violence Prevention Integrator. “Just check on them. Have that conversation with them. By reaching out to those three folks, we might change their whole day. That little act can go a long way.”
Care is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Whether that be a friend, a family member, a Wingman, a hotline, your supervisor, your commander. There is always someone there ready to listen.
If you’re having suicidal thoughts or know someone is having suicidal thoughts talk to someone. Seek help. If you need help call 325-654-CARE