HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Hill Air Force Base is one of the largest Air force Installations; with more than 24,000 employees, the base is the equivalent of a small town. 

As with all small towns, Hill Air Force Base has its detractors and base leadership has been addressing these areas for several years, especially suicide. 

The Air Force has increased suicide prevention awareness over the past few years to combat suicide among its work force. With its large civilian workforce, Team Hill has also addressed the needs of both its military and civilian workers when dealing with suicide prevention. 

"Statistically, most suicides are not driven by work environments, but mainly by substance and alcohol abuse, relationship problems, financial and legal issues," said Maj. Michael. Burpee, 75th MDOS Mental Health Flight commander. 

He added that addressing these personal issues directly can indirectly have a positive influence on the factors associated with suicide. 

Col. Matthew Chini, 75th Medical Group commander said that maintaining and improving the health and wellness of the Team Hill work force is a major goal and there are several programs designed to improve the total health and wellness of our workers through the four pillars of wellness, which include: Physical, Mental, Social and Spiritual wellness. 

Colonel Chini is also a lead member of the Integrated Delivery System, which is a collection of helping agencies from around the base such as the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Mental Health and the Chapel. 

"The goal of this organization is to ensure that these programs have good visibility and for us to fill in any gaps we might discover," the Colonel said. 

The Colonel added that over the years the base has done a much better job of coordinating and disseminating information to both military and civilians about all of the programs that are available to them. 

While the military and civilians all work together as part of Team Hill, there are different avenues that have to be taken for them to seek assistance from these programs. 

For active duty members and dependents, there are resources available through the Airman and Family Readiness center, Military One Source, the Chapel and Mental Health. These services include financial and legal counseling, relationship counseling, alcohol and substance abuse help. 

While Mental Health can provide psychological education to all military and DOD civilians, civilians are then referred to the Employment Assistance Program for support or treatment. 

Major Burpee said the EAP has almost all of the same services for civilians that are available for military members ranging from financial assistance to suicide prevention. 

Another tool used by Hill AFB to increase suicide awareness prevention is Frontline Supervisor Training. 

"This training, which was developed here at Hill, is mandatory for all frontline supervisors. During the training they learn how to identify people that are in distress," said Major Burpee. "They also cover training for suicide prevention, domestic violence, alcohol and substance abuse, and financial problems. They also learn the resources that are available to the workforce so they know where to refer those in need." 

Major Burpee said that one of the most important steps in suicide prevention is instilling a Wingman culture. 

"The Wingman culture makes it easier to recognize when someone's behaviors has changed," he said. "It helps individuals to identify changes in their coworkers, and most importantly, it helps coworkers to intervene when necessary because they have a closer relationship with each other." 

The Major added that he feels like these programs were designed to create a Wingman atmosphere and are just starting to take root. This new ethos encourages coworkers to look out for each other and to refer each other to the help they need when it is needed. 

One of the biggest programs Hill AFB has initiated to help watch out for its workforce is the Wingman Advocate Program. 

This program was collaboration between the largest unit on base, the 309th Maintenance Wing, and the 75th Medical Group, and by working together they created the first Wellness Program in the Air Force. 

With this program several Wellness Advocates were hired with the goal of observing the health and wellness of the workers within the 309th MXW and help educate workers about the different wellness options that are available to them. 

"When we started developing this program a few years ago, we realized that there were not that many options available to the workforce other than the EAP," said Brig. Gen. John Cooper, 309th MXW commander. "We felt the workers deserved more than just a phone number to call." 

The Wellness Advocates were brought on board to become a liaison for the employees, and the program is getting bigger. 

"We started with three advocates and now have eight and should be hiring two more soon," said the General. 

In fact, this program has become such a success the other two Air Logistic Centers, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., and Warner-Robins AFB, Ga., are in the initial stages of adopting this program. 

General Cooper has also taken a more direct approach to determine ways to improve the morale within certain sections of the 309th MXW. 

He has initiated commander's calls and most importantly started conducting town hall meetings between him and the workforce. 

"These meetings take place without an agenda and without any supervisors present so employees feel more comfortable speaking their minds. After the meetings I take the information given to me and bring it back to my staff so they can find the solutions to any problems." 

One of the largest differences between the military and civilian workforce is commanders, directors and supervisors do not have the authority to make civilians seek assistance if thoughts of suicide are suspected. 

"All of our workers need to know that we care about them, but they need to care enough about themselves to help themselves," said Colonel Chini. "We are willing and able to provide assistance, but they need to be willing to seek the assistance." 

Team Hill's workforce not only needs to help themselves, but Wingmen need to remind each other where help can be found. As the base continues to cultivate the Wingman mindset, leadership understands that it's an ongoing process. 

"We planted the seeds of change a few years ago and we have been nurturing it," Major Burpee said. "We are trying to create a cultural change and that doesn't happen overnight; however, I think it is starting to happen and it will only improve."