Key Field Air National Guard Base, Miss. -- Master Sgt. Brandy S. Gordon, a member of the 186th Air Mobility Operations Squadron, attended a ceremony in downtown Jackson, Miss., August 28, 2024. Governor Tate Reeves, the Mississippi National Guard’s commander-in-chief, hosted the event, during which he signed a proclamation declaring the month of September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month for the State of Mississippi.
Master Sgt. Gordon, who attended the ceremony in a civilian capacity, is part of the Lean on Me Jubilee planning committee, which is organizing a suicide awareness, prevention and celebration of life event that will be held in Meridian on September 28, 2024.
According to the Mississippi Department of Health, suicide is the third leading cause of death for people age 15 to 24 in Mississippi and is the 14th leading cause of death for Mississippians of all ages.
The Lean on Me Jubilee committee met with officials from Mississippi Department of Mental Health before the larger group then met Governor Reeves for the proclamation signing ceremony.
“It was an exciting and rewarding day for all of us because suicide prevention awareness received the attention it deserves,” said Gordon. “The proclamation signing was the culmination of months of advocacy by multiple organizations.”
Master Sgt. Gordon is passionate about suicide prevention awareness because she has been affected by two suicides in her immediate family. She is not alone. It is estimated that more than 5 million people in the United States lost a loved one to suicide between 1998-2022.
Master Sgt. Gordon recounted, “I was at Key Field as a member of 238 Air Support Operations Squadron when my brother died by suicide in 2019. My Key Field family rallied around me and provided the support and help I needed while I endured my second time becoming a survivor of suicide loss.”
Mrs. Patricial Everette is the director of psychological health at the 186th Air Refueling Wing.
“My encouragement to commanders and wingmen is to cultivate an environment where your airmen have a sense of belonging to their fellow servicemembers,” Everette stated. “When people feel a sense of connection, belonging, and hope, it empowers them to reach out before they get to a point where suicide seems like an option.”
While resiliency is often viewed as a personal trait, the strength of one’s community can also play a role in helping suicide loss survivors overcome their experiences. Gordon emphasizes, “When people at the 186th told me, ‘I’m here for you,’ they really were. My experience is that when people say they care, they mean it.”
As the State of Mississippi observes September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, consider those around you and cultivate connectedness in your workplace and community. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, do not hesitate to text or call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8. Your actions could save a life.