MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- For Suicide Prevention Month, the 23rd Wing hosted a free comedy show team who combines humor with life-saving education to bring people together and encourage a night of laughter, bonding and resiliency.
The team, 1 Degree of Separation, shared personal stories, engaging with the audience using their wit and creativity to tackle tough topics like depression, suicidal ideations and combatting isolation.
Jennifer Reid, 23rd Wing Integrated Prevention chief, first got the idea to bring 1 Degree of Separation to Moody after seeing their performance at a Department of Defense suicide prevention conference and how much it tied into resiliency.
“This comedy show is another way to talk about suicide that’s entertaining and educational … and it sticks,” Reid said about how the military sometimes struggles to communicate the importance of suicide prevention through standardized training presentations.
The Air Force’s “Taking Care of Airmen” priority has long since been a way to holistically approach Airmen health, from the head knowledge of the pillars of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness to practical events of local morale and welfare programs. One way of ensuring that Airmen continue to build resiliency is to lessen the risk factors and to have protective factors put in place, which may reduce destructive behaviors.
“Laughing is a protective factor,” explained Reid. “It releases endorphins, builds connectedness and truly protects us against harmful behaviors.”
By blending humor with heartfelt messages, the show gave Airmen more than just laughter, it offered hope and perspective.
“The comedy show was really good — it touched on issues in a positive and comedic way,” said Airman 1st Class Brittney McCoy, 23rd Comptroller Squadron budget analyst. “There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and you can get through life even if you suffer from anxiety and depression.”
While the comedy show brought laughter, its deeper purpose is to strengthen bonds among Airmen and their families.
“A lack of connectedness or isolation is one of the biggest risk factors, and one of the biggest protective factors we can put in place is connectedness,” said Jacinta Howell, 23rd WG Integrated Response director.
Building connections goes beyond wearing the uniform or being in a room together, but being able to talk about issues that one may be struggling with is key.
“There’s a quote by C.S. Lewis who said, ‘Friendship begins when you look at the person next to you and say, ‘You too?’ That’s what we want, for people to feel connected, not isolated, and know they’re not dealing with things alone,” said Howell.
There are other events scheduled throughout the month of September to help build up other coping techniques and resiliency skills. For more information, visit the Moody Connect app, available on all smartphone app stores.