Effect of the Wingman-Connect Upstream Suicide Prevention Program for Air Force Personnel in Training

Abstract

Key Points Question Does group training to build cohesion, shared purpose, and healthy coping for classes of new US Air Force Airmen reduce suicidal thoughts, depression symptoms, and occupational problems? Findings In this cluster randomized clinical trial of 1485 personnel in 215 training classes, the Wingman-Connect program reduced suicidal ideation, depression symptoms, and occupational problems at 1 month by fostering cohesive, healthy classes. Reduced depression symptoms were maintained through 6 months, and the odds of having elevated depression symptoms were lower (odds ratio, 0.80) at either follow-up point. Meaning Wingman-Connect is the first universal prevention program to reduce suicidal ideation and depression in a general Air Force population.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among Ph.D. students

“…Common barriers to help-seeking include fears of harming one's academic career, financial insecurity, lack of time, and lack of awareness [89][90][91] , as well as health care systems-related barriers, including insufficient numbers of culturally competent counseling staff, limited access to psychological services beyond time-limited psychotherapies, and lack of programs that address the specific needs either of Ph.D. students in general 92 or of Ph.D. students belonging to marginalized groups 93,94 . Structural interventions focused solely on enhancing student resilience might include programs aimed at reducing stigma, fostering social cohesion, and reducing social isolation, while changing norms around help-seeking behavior 95,96 . However, structural interventions focused on changing stressogenic aspects of the graduate student environment itself are also needed 97 , beyond any enhancements to Ph.D. student resilience, including: undercutting power differentials between graduate students and individual faculty advisors, e.g., by diffusing power among multiple faculty advisors; eliminating racist, sexist, and other discriminatory behaviors by faculty advisors 74,75,98 ; valuing mentorship and other aspects of "invisible work" that are often disproportionately borne by women faculty and faculty of color 99,100 ; and training faculty members to emphasize the dignity of, and adequately prepare Ph.D. students for, non-academic careers 101,102 .…”

Association of Premilitary Mental Health With Suicide Attempts During US Army Service

“… 7 Continued development of universal prevention programs is another important component of a comprehensive approach to lowering suicide risk across the population. 33 …”

Social network structure as a suicide prevention target

“…For example, the Wingman-Connect Program (Wyman et al, 2020) is designed to enhance the natural social networks of early-career Air Force members through a brief group-based intervention (6 hrs total distributed over three separate days). Through a facilitated process, members learn and model skills to each other for growing protective strengths that support adjustment to military life (i.e., stable social bonds, activities that promote psychological balance) and in doing so develop (often new and untargeted) connections to each other.…”