Training to prevent tragedy

Flyers are on display during the Suicide Explained & Suicide Intervention training inside the Bay Breeze Event Center at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Sept. 17, 2021. With suicide being the leading cause of death in the Air Force, the presentation focus was to provide skill based training in primary prevention for personnel at Keesler. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Training to prevent tragedy

U.S. Air Force Chaplain (Col.) David Carr, 81st Training Wing chaplain, attends the Suicide Explained & Suicide Intervention training inside the Bay Breeze Event Center at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Sept. 17, 2021. With suicide being the leading cause of death in the Air Force, the presentation focus was to provide skill based training in primary prevention for personnel at Keesler. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Training to prevent tragedy

Amy Morgan, Academy Hour founder and CEO, delivers remarks during the Suicide Explained & Suicide Intervention training inside the Bay Breeze Event Center at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Sept. 17, 2021. With suicide being the leading cause of death in the Air Force, the presentation focus was to provide skill based training in primary prevention for personnel at Keesler. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Training to prevent tragedy

Published Sept. 20, 2021
By Airman 1st Class Jasmine Galloway
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --

The violence prevention office hosted its annual training, Suicide: Explained and Intervention, with guest speaker Amy Morgan, Academy Hour CEO, at the Bay Breeze Event Center, Sept. 17.

“The violence prevention office is here to step in before violence ever happens,” said LisaMarie Mariglia, 81st Training Wing violence and suicide prevention program manager. “We help service members and their families develop skills to maintain healthy relationships and prevent the loss of life.”

With data collected by Liz Waters, 81st Training Wing community support coordinator, the violence prevention office locates the units with a higher risk for violence or suicide to aid and delivers annual suicide prevention training.

“We are able to offer a unique training where Morgan discusses signs and factors of why and how people get to the point where they feel suicide is an option,” said Mariglia.

Suicide is the leading cause of death in the Air Force, which is a challenge Suicide Prevention Awareness Month combats year-round through encouraging skill-based education with resources and reducing mental health stigmas.

“We have to be able to connect with each other, which is a key aspect of the annual training,” said Waters. “We have to feel comfortable asking an individual ‘Are you okay,’ and ‘How are things going?’”