Abnormal Psychology

242 CHAPTER 6

that those most likely to need help were often the least likely to seek it, the

Air Force instituted a comprehensive program to prevent suicide. The program

was designed to provide mental health services at the initial signs of distress or

dysfunction and to change the norms about seeking help within the Air Force.

The hope was that personnel could take advantage of such help without feeling

stigmatized; the Air Force publicized that seeking help, either for oneself or for

another, was a sign of responsibility and strength (Knox et al., 2003).

Taking advantage of this “experiment,” researchers compared the number of

suicides among Air Force personnel in the 7 years before the program was fully

instituted (1990–1996) with the number during the fi rst 6 years after it was in full

swing (1997–2002). As seen in Figure 6.9, the suicide rate fell by 33% after the

program was fully instituted (McIntosh, 2003). (The emphasis on early interven-

tion and decreased stigma had an added bonus: There was also a decrease in the

homicide rate and in severe family violence among Air Force personnel from the

fi rst time period to the second. Thus, the prevention program yielded additional

changes in social factors.) The Air Force has continued this suicide prevention pro-

gram, and in the decade since the program was launched, the average annual suicide

rate decreased by almost 30% compared to the decade before the program was

launched (Pfl anz, 2008). In the wake of increased suicide rates among soldiers who

served in Iraq and Afghanistan, other branches of the military have stepped up their

suicide prevention programs (Lorge, 2008). The Air Force program is being adapted

by some college campuses in hopes of lowering the suicide rate among students

(Koplewicz et al., 2007). Figure 6.10 illustrates the feedback loops involved in the

prevention of suicide.

6.9 • Successful Suicide Prevention? The number of suicides in the U.S.

Air Force decreased after a suicide prevention program was implemented in 1996.

Source: Knox et al., 2003.

Figure 6.9

80

Number of suicides Rate per 100,000

Implementation

of program

Year

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

16

18

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Number of suicides per year

Rate per 100,000