Resiliency stand down Published Jan. 25, 2012 By Staff Sgt. Timothy Boyer 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- More than 200 people received training Monday at the base theater to be small group facilitators for the upcoming Resiliency Stand Down, said Maj. Melissa Gould, 60th Medical Operations Squadron suicide prevention officer, Resiliency Element chief and Travis Integrated Delivery System chair. The Air Force has seen an upward trend in suicides over the past several weeks, according to a Jan. 12 memorandum by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy and Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. "Our Airmen are too important to lose in this manner, and the costs to individuals, families, friends, co-workers and our mission are beyond measure," the memorandum read. Monday's training provided facilitators with tools to be able to raise awareness and build resilient Airmen, Gould said. The training began with words from Col. Richard Williamson, 60th Air Mobility Wing vice-commander, who emphasized the importance of dialogue in small groups of how people have become resilient through their experiences and to identify wingmen that are having current difficulties and need to be encouraged to reach out for help. Maj. Cameron Richardson, 660th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, followed Williamson defining resiliency as the ability to grow and thrive in the face of challenges and bounce back from adversity. He discussed expectations and the tools made available to facilitators on the Sharepoint. Chaplain (Col.) Robert Cannon, 60th AMW wing chaplain, emphasized the importance of self-aid care and buddy care for suicide prevention as we would for ourselves and others for a physical emergency. Getting help when an Airman is hurting is the right thing to do. It demonstrates good judgment and supports the mission by enhancing the overall health of the Airmen, he said. Next, Gould discussed the signs of distress, risk factors and protective factors. She emphasized the importance of early help-seeking behavior from friends and base agencies equipped to help with marital, family and financial stressors. Jim Cook, Military and Family Life consultant, talked about tools for maintaining healthy relationships. He discussed the importance of active listening, paying attention to nonverbal communication, owning your feelings and having fun as a couple. Gould emphasized the use of helpful buddy care approaches such as being a good listener, asking the person if they have had suicidal thoughts, not being judgmental and not promising secrecy. It is important to express to the hurting individual that you care and are hopeful about their ability to improve, she said. Chief Master Sgt. John Evalle, 60th AMW command chief, concluded the training with phone numbers facilitators will ask each member in their unit to program into their cell phone to use for themselves or help a buddy get urgent assistance. These numbers are 911 or 424-4911. their Squadron Commander and 1st Sergeant after hours numbers, Command Post number 424-5517 for On-Call Chaplain and Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Hotlines 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-273-TALK. Evalle reminded facilitators of the importance of calling for an ambulance or taking their wingman to the emergency room or the mental health clinic, not leaving the person alone and removing any means of self harm, including weapons or pills. Monday's training equipped small group facilitators to help Airmen gain a heightened awareness and strengthen their resiliency, Gould said. Resiliency is self-aid and buddy care for the heart and mind, she said.