Justin: Thank you for taking some time out of your day to speak with me today. I know this topic is pretty deep.
Murray: No problem. Yes it is deep but it is a very important topic to touch on especially in the military
Justin: We recently had a Town Hall meeting that focused on the recent suicides and discussed an action plan. Did you attend? If so why did you think it was important to attend?
Murray: I did attend and I thought it was important because 3 of the recent suicides were all members of my organization. I work in maintenance and it was all maintenance guys who recently took their own lives. I did not personally know any of them but i have seen one of them around. It is devastating not only to our squadron and base but to the military community itself.
Justin: Are you ok with the announcement about the Suicide Prevention Team? Do you think this will help our community?
Murray: I think that any action plan is a good plan. The fact that the leadership cares enough to do something about this problem is great. I think it will help because it will get the word out there that the military higher ups really do care about our well being.
Justin: A lot of people have talked about stress from the job as well as too many hours in some squadron. Maintenance is known to have weekend duty and 12 hour shifts at times. Does that ever affect you?
Murray: It does stress me out at times. I do miss out on family time but it’s not constant. It happens every now and again but stress is a very big problem in my squadron. Some people just do not know how to cope. I have talked to a few of my troops when i notice them showing symptoms of stress or depression. That is huge to me. You need to recognize when your troops are down and find a way to boost their morale. Show that you care and give them reasons to want to keep working hard. You have to talk to your troops and show them that they are appreciated. That really helps.
Justin: According to the Pentagon, 265 active duty service members from all military branches \took their own lives in 2015. The report for 2016 has not been reported yet but do you think it is higher or lower?
Murray: I have a feeling it is higher. Not by much but just by hearing all the suicides around Japan it just makes me think it’s like this all over.
Justin: Do you think this problem will decrease in the next few years?
Murray: I hope so but honestly I don’t see the problem decreasing anytime soon. I would like to think so but it will take some time. I do like the way things are going such as the Suicide Prevention Team going to all the bases in Japan to try and figure out why this is happening so frequent here.
Justin: Thanks for your time
Murray: No problem and thank you.
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