Chaplain explains suicide prevention efforts

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jon Quinlan
  • 314th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. (AFPN) --  The Air Force’s top chaplain explained what the Air Force Chaplain Service is doing to help prevent suicides during a recent visit here.

Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Charles Baldwin, chaplain service chief, advises the Air Force chief of staff on all matters pertaining to the religious and moral welfare of Airmen.

“What our Airmen do is important, and we must honor them by acknowledging and affirming that they are making a difference in the world,” Chaplain Baldwin said. “There is no job that is insignificant.”

The chaplain service is made up of faith-based counselors who listen, help and refer Airmen to other organizations if necessary, he said.

“We just want people to know that we care about them and we want to listen no matter what (their) faith, or if (they) have no faith background,” Chaplain Baldwin said.

To ensure Airmen are getting that message, the chaplain service launched Campaign of Hope in January. One campaign initiative has chaplains visiting Airmen wherever they may be.

“We have asked our chaplains to be present on the flightline (and) in the maintenance hangar, and go where the Airmen are and work,” Chaplain Baldwin said. “We call it honoring Airmen.”

Little Rock's chaplains said they use the opportunity to be out with the troops.

“It’s all about being out there, seeing how the folks are doing and letting them know who you are,” said Little Rock Chaplain (Maj.) Philip Barker. “Commanders appreciate it, and sometimes you learn things about the organizations that you would not have had an opportunity to learn otherwise.”

Another campaign initiative being used features shows made up of volunteer singers and speakers who will send out positive messages of hope, Chaplain Baldwin said. There will also be a grant program available to support base chapels in funding hope-based programs such as weekend retreats for families.

“It’s so sad when anyone would get to the point when they think suicide is the answer,” Chaplain Baldwin said. “We just need to get them help before they get to that point.” (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)