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Local 591 EAP / Member Assistance
Credit IAM EAP, LAP
September 2020
September is Suicide Prevention Month
(excerpts from NAMI.org, Risk of Suicide)
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to share resources and stories in an effort to shed light on this highly taboo and stigmatized topic. We use this month to reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness and connect individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services. It is also important to ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention.
Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide may be the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.
Warning signs of suicide:
- Increased alcohol and drug use
- Withdrawal from friends, family and community
- Dramatic mood swings
- Impulsive or reckless behavior
Suicidal behaviors are a psychiatric emergency. Seek immediate help from a health care provider or call 911 if you or a loved one starts to take any of these steps
- Collecting and saving pills or buying a weapon
- Giving away possessions
- Tying up loose ends, like organizing personal papers or paying off debts
- Saying goodbye to friends and family
If you are unsure, a licensed mental health professional can help assess.
Risk Factors
- A family history of suicide
- Substance use or Intoxication. More than 1 in 3 people who die from suicide are under the influence of alcohol at the time of death. Drugs can create mental highs and lows that worsen suicidal thoughts.
- Access to firearms
- A serious or chronic medical illness
- Gender. Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are nearly 4x more likely to die by suicide.
- A history of trauma or abuse
- Prolonged stress
- A recent tragedy or loss
- If you’re worried that you or your loved one is in crisis or nearing a crisis, seek help. Make sure to assess the immediacy of the situation to help determine where to start or who to call.
What to do When Someone is Expressing Suicidal Thoughts
A person experiencing a mental health crisis can’t always clearly communicate their thoughts, feelings, needs or emotions. They may also find it difficult to understand  what others are saying. It’s important to empathize and connect with the person’s feelings, stay calm and try to de-escalate the crisis. If the following suggestions don’t help, seek outside assistance and resources.
Techniques that May Help De-escalate a Crisis:
- Keep your voice calm - Avoid overreacting
- Listen to the person - Express support and concern
- Avoid continuous eye contact - Ask how you can help
- Keep stimulation level low - Move slowly
- Offer options instead of trying to take control - Be patient
- Give them space - Don’t argue or try to reason with the person
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September Monthly Observances
Suicide Prevention Month
National Recovery Month
National Baby Safety Month
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Benefits and you
2021 Benefits Information
Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance will be administered by American Airlines, as negotiated into the CBA. Since this is a new plan, all members are eligible for the plan with no preexisting condition exclusion, any member who does not want LTD must opt out during open enrollment.
Union Benefit Planners (UBP) will continue to service the Hartford Short Term Disability Plan (Policy #GRH-681032) and the Lincoln Term Life Insurance Plan (Policy #000010147957 and #000010147851) for those members currently enrolled and participating in those plans.
National Group Protection will off the following supplemental voluntary benefits to members going forward:
NGB List
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Crisis Hotline
National Suicide Prevention Lifline
800-273-8255 (24/7)
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
https://www.crisistextline.org/
The Trevor Project
866-488-7386 (24/7)
866-488-7387 Text START to 678678
866-488-7388
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
The Veterans Crisis Line
800-273-8255 press 1 (24/7)
800-273-8256 Text 838255 (24/7)
Online chat
www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat
www.veteranscrisisline.net
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Local 591 EAP / Member Assistance Representatives
Ken Morse- (815) 483-8585 - k.morse@local591.com
National EAP and Benefits–Member Assistance Program Coordinator
Hector Posa- (815) 323-9648 ORD MLS EAP-Member Assistance Peer
Mark Smejkal- (847)757-1954- ORD EAP-Member Assistance Peer
Tony Lepore- (940) 536-8817- t.lepore@local591.com
National Benefits and EAP-Member Assistance Coordinator
Danny Wilson-(631) 334-0933- d.wilson@local591.com
Northeast Region Member Assistance Program EAP and Benefits Coordinator
Rawle Skeete- (954) 559-7505- r.skeete@local591.com
Southeast Region Member Assistance Program EAP and Benefits Coordinator
Phil Revollo- (954) 665-7383 MIA EAP-Member Assistance Peer
Sean Bruno- (310) 594-2025-s.bruno@local591.com
West Region Member Assistance Program EAP and Benefits Coordinator
Edwin Joseph- (310) 709-4755- jord352000@yahoo.com
West Region Member Assistance Program EAP and Benefits peer Coordinator
John Hadaway- (817) 637-8075- J.hadaway@local591.com
Southwest Region Member Assistance Program (Terminal) EAP and Benefits Coordinator
David San Miguel- (817) 875-5808- D.sanmiguel@local591.com
Southwest Region Member Assistance Program (Hangar) EAP and Benefits Coordinator
David Emerline- (469) 408-8197- EEMERLINEE07@YAHOO.COM
Southwest Region Member Assistance Program (MLS) EAP and Benefits Peer Coordinator
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Download:
 September 2020 EAP Newsletter.pdf
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TOS 2001-02 Coronavirus.pdf
