Army Suicide Prevention Working Group
The Army Suicide Prevention Working Group (ASPWG)
was set up as a result of the Walton study in to suicide in the
British Army.
Terms of Reference are attached. Members include
psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors, and Defence Analytical
Services Agency (DASA) epidemiologists. In addition others may
be invited, such as representatives from HM Prison Service and
the NHS.
The ASPWG originally met six monthly, but now
meets every four months (February, June, September)—minutes
of the meetings are attached to give flavour of the group's discussions.
Outputs include:
(a) Suicide Prevention—A Commander's
Guide Pamphlet (now on third iteration since original produced
in 1997).
(b) Suicide Prevention Poster.
(c) Input to career course training syllabus
(see attached Awareness letter to COs dated 18 October 2002).
(d) Research targeting and benchmarking,
for example:
— The ASPWG is the forum through which
the research into the improved medical/psychological screening
of recruits is being staffed.
— The ASPWG is the forum through which
the two self—harm reporting studies (Northern Ireland (NI)
and Catterick) currently underway will be evaluated.
— The ASPWG is the forum in which the
NI self harm case history retrospective study will be presented
and discussed.
— The ASPWG is the forum at which the
suicide case history medical notes review will be presented and
discussed.
— In 1999 the ASPWG directed the Directorate
of Army Personnel Strategy (DAPS) to carry out qualitative research
on recent suicides to understand the issues involved and develop
organisational responses. DASA carried out quantitative research
to complement this. The approach of examining individual cases
of undetermined death enabled an organisational learning account
to be developed. Organisational learning and development took
place through the results of applied research being utilised directly
by the ASPWG in making policy. Analysis by DAPS Science of recent
individual undetermined deaths have enabled lessons to be drawn
and applied to the organisation. The work is continuing and seeks
to maximise organisational awareness, feedback and learning to
facilitate prevention measures. Whilst the research is independent,
the close links with Army Personal Services and the ASPWG allow
the process and results of individual/organisational research
to be directly and immediately applied to the policy makers in
the Army setting.
— The small number of cases of undetermined
deaths each year makes statistical analysis difficult. A qualitative
approach has been adopted that can highlight organisational strengths
and weaknesses, as well as individual and contextual learning
points. Organisational processes such as Boards of Inquiry and
dispensations have been examined and recommendations for policy
change made.
— The ASPWG continues to refine an
appropriate Risk Analysis Tool within the Army's current Risk
Analysis Framework to assist unit commanders.
— DAPS Science will attend the unit
where the death occurred, with the SIB, in order firstly to gain
an overview of the events surrounding a death and secondly the
processes by which it is managed. This will seek to identify individual
and organisational issues.
(e) Refinement of the RMP's "Guidelines
For Commanding Officers Following an Incident of Self Harm"
(attached).
(Revision date May 2006)
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