Navy concerns:

Suicide prevention: A community approach

By: Chief of Naval Personnel
Public Affairs  01/08/2004

Washington (NNS) - Navy and DoD leadership showed their concern for suicide prevention in a military-wide conference in November.

The focus was bringing together military and civilian subject matter experts to discuss and share knowledge about programs, initiatives, interventions and data collection among the services.

A common thread among the speakers was the need across each of the armed services to actively engage in awareness and prevention at all levels in the organization. Command leaders and direct supervisors are often in the position of noticing a critical difference in behavior patterns. Leaders have the responsibility to know their people and what is happening in their lives.

"Losing a Sailor is a tragic loss to the Navy family. Losing a Sailor through suicide is an even more tragic loss and one that we, as a Navy community, are working hard to prevent," said Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Gerry Hoewing.

The conference highlighted the bottom line to the tragic issue of suicide - shipmates need to watch out for each other and err on the side of safety.

As one Sailor said, "I'd rather have my friend mad with me for interfering, than never having the chance to work out problems later."

Cmdr. Kevin Kennedy, head of Behavioral Health, Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tenn., and program manager for the Navy Suicide Prevention Program, explained the basic information Sailors should know.

He said, "The first thing to do if you are concerned is ask a Sailor if they are suicidal. This is part of AID LIFE: Ask, Intervene and Don't keep it a secret; Locate help, Inform the chain of command, Find someone to stay with the Sailor and Expedite help."

If a Sailor in your command seems to be acting or behaving differently than what you normally observe, talk to them. "Ask them if there's a problem. If you know there's a problem causing them distress, ask them if they're considering suicide. You are the first line of defense for your fellow shipmates. Be aware," emphasized Kennedy.

He added that the Navy is continually working with commands and Sailors to increase awareness of suicide prevention initiatives. "Saving a single life is worth all our efforts." Increasing involvement, knowing your Sailors, and addressing Sailors as a whole and each problem as a separate issue, are keys to suicide prevention problem.

For society in general, the suicide rate for males is higher than for women, with rising rates among 15-to 24-year-olds. The main population of Sailors is 18 to 23 years old.

The Navy's culture and the perception of men being strong needs to be dispelled, according to Kennedy.

"Sailors are not weak if they ask for help when they are having personal difficulties. The truth is, it takes strength to know one should seek help, and courage to face problems head on," he said.

Research shows that more than 90 percent of people who kill themselves have depression or some other highly treatable disorder. Combine this treatable condition with circumstantial stressors, like the loss of a relationship or problems on the job, and the result could be suicide. The key is to get people the help they need before situations spiral out of control.

According to OPNAV 6100.2, Suicide Prevention training is available through local Fleet and Family Support Centers, chaplains and medical treatment facilities. In addition, Sailors and their families can receive free counseling at Fleet and Family Support Centers. Sailors who have recently deployed, and their family members, receive priority placement.

This past year, Navy Education and Training Command distributed a 14-minute video, 'Suicide Prevention: Making the Critical Decision,' as a required element in the FY-03 General Military Training. Its purpose is to provide the fleet fundamental information on suicide prevention, to help everyone recognize the warning signs and take appropriate action if they see a warning sign.

Contrary to popular belief, there are no certain times of the year when suicide rates are higher. Kennedy says, "Suicide knows no season."

Additional copies of the suicide prevention video are available via the Web through http://dodimagery.afis.osd.mil.

For more information on suicide prevention, go to www-nehc.med.navy.mil/hp/suicide/SLinks.htm.

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