September 2016

Goodbye-August-Hello-Dear-September-quote-2

Suicide Month. All Airmen have a responsibility that lasts much longer than a one-month campaign. This responsibility extends beyond ourselves and includes our work environment, our families, friends, fellow Airmen and our communities.While Suicide Prevention Month is observed across the United States in September, the month-long event is a reminder of everyone’s 24/7, 365-day responsibility to be a true Wingman. That means knowing our fellow Airmen, family members, coworkers and what is happening in their lives, as well as being willing and able to support them when they are facing challenges that test their resilience.The Air Force has undertaken several initiatives to improve resilience for individuals and our communities. These efforts can be found under the umbrella of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness (CAF) which focuses on maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle across physical, mental, social and spiritual domains. Individuals practicing comprehensive fitness are more likely to seek help when needed and be able to identify risk factors and warning signs when an individual is off balance.”Prevention begins with each individual working to strengthen and maintain their overall well-being across all CAF domains, as well as being able to identify when thers need help. A good Wingman offers help knowing what resources are available, and follows up to stand by their side throughout a challenge,” said Lt. Col. Kathleen Crimmins, Air Force Suicide Prevention manager. “Assisting Airmen to get help… whether peer or professional, is what a Wingman does.”

A number of resources are available to include the Air Force Suicide Prevention website, the Airman’s Guide for Assisting Personnel in Distress, the Military Crisis Line by calling 1-800-273-8255, press 1, text 838255, or go online to chat at www.militarycrisisline.net, with access to peer counselors in person and through online chats and text messaging.

In addition to the crisis phone line, help is also available through the Vets4Warriors peer support chat line at 855-838-8255 or online at www.vets4warriors.com. This line will connect an individual with veteran peers who understand the unique challenges of military life and assist with problem solving and resolution.

Family members, retirees, and veterans can also use these resources for themselves if they feel the need to speak with someone.

Know the Warning Signs of Suicide

How do you remember the Warning Signs of Suicide? Here’s an easy-to-remember mnemonic:
IS PATH WARM?
I Ideation S Substance Abuse
P Purposelessness A Anxiety T Trapped H Hopelessness
W Withdrawal A Anger R Recklessness M Mood Changes
A person in acute risk for suicidal behavior most often will show:
Warning Signs of Acute Risk: Threatening to hurt or kill him or herself, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself; and or, Looking for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means; and/or, Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary.
These might be remembered as expressed or communicated ideation. If observed, seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health professional or calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for a referral.
Expanded Warning Signs:

Increased substance (alcohol or drug) use
No reason for living; no sense of purpose in life
Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all of the time
Feeling trapped – like there’s no way out
Hopelessness
Withdrawal from friends, family and society
Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking
Dramatic mood changes

If observed, seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health professional or calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for a referral.
These warning signs were compiled by a task force of expert clinical-researchers and ‘translated’ for the general public. The origin of IS PATH WARM?

To learn more about youth suicide, risk factors, and how to help, click here.

3. Happy Labor Day.

Labor Day is observed in the U.S. on every first Monday in September as a day to recognize the contributions of American workers of all industries to the U.S. economy. It is also meant to give workers a well-earned day off to relax at home or to get out for recreation.

Year	Date	Day	Holiday	State
2016	5 Sep	Mon	Labor Day	National
2017	4 Sep	Mon	Labor Day	National

To many, Labor Day marks the end of the summer season, even as Memorial Day marks its beginning. Many see Labor Day as their last chance to get out and take a vacation before summer is gone, and many workers get a two-week annual vacation period with Labor Day Weekend right in the middle of the two weeks off.

Most U.S. schools restart classes, after the long summer break, about a week before Labor Day. Others schools, however, resume classes on the day after Labor Day, thus allowing families to get in their last taste of summer before the school year gets underway.

While Canada also celebrates Labour Day at the same time as in the U.S., though spelling it differently to keep faith with the UK, many other countries have their own equivalent of Labor Day. May Day (on May 1st), for example, is observed by over 80 nations to give workers a much-needed day off, and there are also other countries with yet other dates for their version of Labor Day.

The first U.S. Labor Day celebrations took place in New York City in 1882 at the behest of local labor unions, who wanted to put the fruits of their industries on public display. In 1887, Oregon instituted a state-level Labor Day holiday, and 29 other states followed suit before Labor Day finally became a federal holiday in 1894.

The original Labor Day celebrations consisted of street parades displaying the contributions of laborers in various industries followed by local festivals or other amusements. Over time, it became a time for giving speeches on labor-related topics, which is still occasionally done today.

Besides recognition of labor and general entertainment, another reason Labor Day was instituted was to provide a public holiday in the long, “holiday-free” span between the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving. This gap-filler strategy, combined with its “strategic position” at the end of the summer season, has made Labor Day a much-appreciated break for many U.S. workers.

Although there are still a few parades and some fireworks displays on Labor Day Weekend, it is not a big time for “official events.” Mostly, it is the beginning of the football season, a time for picnics and barbecues, and a time to go on vacation to the beach, national parks, or elsewhere.

If traveling on Labor Day Weekend, you should plan well in advance. Both airports and roadways will be busy as many make their way to and from their annual vacations, and public transportation often operates on a reduced schedule.

4. Great Poem

5. POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY

6. World International Peace Day

7. What if we were

In the Georgian calendar, the calendar that most of the world uses, September is the ninth month of the year. However, it used to be the seventh month on the Roman calendar. It had 29 and 31 days but it later was changed to 30 days by Emperor Augustus. In Southern United States, it is the warmest months of the year and very cool nights for Northern states. It is the harvest time for crops and that is why Switzerland calls September the harvest month. In the Northern hemisphere, beginning of September leads to the beginning of meteorological autumn while it is the beginning of the meteorological spring in southern hemisphere.

1. The birthstone for September is the sapphire.

2. The zodiac signs for September are Virgo (August 23 – September 22) and Libra (September 23 – October 22)

3. The birth flower for September is the morning glry.

4. On September 1, 1905, Alberta and Saskatchewan were established.

5. On September 1, 1939, World War II began in Europe because the German troops invaded Poland.

6. On September 2, 1789, the United States Department of Treasury was established.

7. On September 3, 1783, the Revolutionary War in America ended after Great Britain signed the Treaty of Paris.

8. On September 6, 1901, William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, was assassinated.

9. On September 8, 1565, the first permanent white settlement was founded in St.Augustine, Florida.

10. On September 10, 1846, Elias Howe patented his sewing machine.

11. On September 14, 1847, United States forces took control of Mexico City.

12. On September 14, 1940, the Selective Service Act was passed by Congress which provided the first peacetime draft in the United States history.