By Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- The Navy’s Behavioral Health office is sponsoring a suicide-prevention poster contest with entries accepted with postmarks from June 1 to July 31st, 2009.

“The Suicide Prevention Poster Contest (SPPC) is designed to encourage participation from Sailors across the Navy in creating a poster for suicide prevention.  In November of 2008, a four part poster series was launched across the fleet.  This new addition, designed by a Sailor, will be distributed Navy-wide and be featured in the November issue of All Hands magazine,” said Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie Chavez, the Behavioral Health Program Manager. 

Submissions may be by an individual or team.

Posters should be creative and employ a dynamic message that life is worth living.  Focus may be on general suicide prevention awareness or a specific issue related to suicide, getting help, having hope or helping a shipmate.  Original art work, photos, or other media is allowed, but copyrighted material may not be used.

The winner may be asked to provide additional materials to include a high-resolution .jpg of the poster. Files may also be requested for computer-generated posters.

All submissions become the property of the Department of the Navy and may be used for educational purposes. The Behavioral Health office reserves the right to alter poster designs.

Complete contest rules and guidelines may be found at www.suicide.navy.mil . Posters may also be submitted at the website or via mail at:

Behavioral Health Program Manager
ATTN: Contest Coordinator / (Suicide Prevention Poster Contest)
5720 Integrity Drive
Millington, TN 38054-6000

Submissions must include contact information. Winners will be announced October 1, 2009. 

For more information contact LCDR Bonnie Chavez at bonnie.chavez@navy.mil or Wendy Poling at wendy.poling.ctr@navy.mil