LAYTON, Utah—
Hill Air Force Base mourns an airman who committed suicide this weekend at Antelope Island. The death brings HAFB's suicide total to eight this year. Of the eight suicides, seven were civilian employees. This most recent death of an active duty airman puts HAFB's rising suicide rate in the spotlight. Officials said they are trying to figure out the reason behind the increase, but they admit they do not have an answer. Col. Donald Hickman wants people on the base to know, "It's ok to seek help, we want you to seek help, come and if you're not going to see us in the mental health clinic or the family advocacy or the wingmen. See somebody. "Hickman said there is a multitude of mental health resources at Hill Air Force Base and many are free. The problem is getting people to use them. "Unfortunately one of these happens and it's an individual who didn't reach out and grab our hand and come let us help him or her," said Hickman. HAFB has a unique suicide prevention program that began two years ago. 14 men and women, known as wingmen advocates, seek out people who may be depressed. Hickman explained, "Those guys and gals that go out onto the shop floor and make sure that the employees know of the resources and help them get to the resources."
On Tuesday, the U.S. Army announced that suicide rates among soldiers would hit an all-time high in 2009. But officials at HAFB said that doesn't hold true with the Air Force. About 12 in 100,000 commit suicide. That rate has remained the same for a number of years. The Air Force suicide number does not include civilian employee suicides.
FOX 13's Katy Carlyle reports.
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