Dena Ali, A-EMT, CIT, MPA, FF
Captain
Raleigh Fire Department
Thursday, April 11, 2019: 3:30 PM – 5:15 PM
The focus is on preventing suicide by identifying its traceable causes and creating an environment that encourages firefighters to seek help, altering an individual’s trajectory from reaching suicide. Individual, company level, and departmental methods for prevention are presented. Students are introduced to The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide model developed by Dr. Thomas Joiner to explain suicidal behavior and how to use it to reduce the risk for suicide. The causes that lead to fire service suicide can be work-related, personal, or a combination. Resources like peer support and treatment to prevent maladaptive coping are covered.
I open the class by modeling vulnerability and sharing my personal story from 2015 that led me to contemplate suicide. I then explain the coping mechanisms that allowed me to get through that difficult time.
Class is delivered as a lecture utilizing power point, video, and student discussions. The class outlines factors involved in fire service suicide, and discusses strategies for detection and prevention. Early in the class, I engage the students with a segment titled, “Myth vs. Fact” to give attendees an opportunity to interact.
Many of the thought provoking statements in this segment are common myths found in society and the fire service. These myths oftentimes are damaging to our understanding of suicidal behavior. I conclude each statement by explaining why they are myths through sharing peer reviewed facts and findings. Attendees are then encouraged to look further in understanding and combatting these myths.
Class focuses on all level levels involved in prevention: probationary, firefighters, company officers, mental health professionals, and departmental guidelines. The key to suicide prevention is understanding it’s tractable causes. Oftentimes, these are more easily understood through discussing case study of firefighters in crisis. Explaining their trajectories serves to demonstrate how easily one can reach crisis and the power of admitting when you need a little extra help. Demonstrating the power of help seeking behavior as a form of prevention is crucial. Significant portion of the class is utilized to explain Dr. Thomas Joiner’s Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS). This model has stood up to over 20 empirical tests and simply paints a picture, while condensing all risk factors into just three easily understood constructs.
