ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE
 
ROUTINE       
 
R 021127Z SEP 03 ZYB MIN PSN 635628J30
 
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
 
TO NAVADMIN
 
UNCLAS //N05000//
NAVADMIN 242/03
 
MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/-/SEP//
 
SUBJ/SUICIDE PREVENTION//
 
RMKS/1.  WE ALL CAN BE PLEASED THAT THE RATE OF SUICIDE IN THE NAVY
IS WELL BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, AND WE SHOULD WORK TO REDUCE
THAT RATE FURTHER.  EFFECTIVE PREVENTION PROGRAMS REQUIRE AN ALL
HANDS UNDERSTANDING OF POSSIBLE PRECURSORS TO SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR,
TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION, ACCESS TO MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES,
AND A WILLINGNESS TO INTERVENE ON A SHIPMATE'S BEHALF.
 
2.  SUICIDE IS NOT LIMITED TO ANY GENDER, AGE, RACE OR ETHNIC
CATEGORY, AND, ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO SINGLE INDICATOR, A REVIEW OF
PAST CASES DOES PROVIDE SOME INSIGHT INTO THOSE SAILORS MOST AT RISK.
THOSE WITH RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS, HISTORY OF DEPRESSION, PAST
SUICIDAL THREATS OR BEHAVIORS, PENDING MILITARY OR CIVIL LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS, AND ABUSE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS MERIT OUR SPECIAL
ATTENTION.
 
3.  FRIENDS AND CLOSE ASSOCIATES ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO
RECOGNIZE A SHIPMATE'S VULNERABILITY.  THE EARLIEST SIGNS OF TROUBLE
MOST OFTEN OCCUR AWAY FROM WORK, WHILE ON LEAVE OR LIBERTY, IN
BARRACKS, BERTHING AREAS, OR AT HOME.  JOKES, THREATS, OR EXPRESSED
DESIRES ABOUT COMMITTING SUICIDE SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY -- FAR
BETTER TO INTERVENE NOW THAN TO SECOND-GUESS YOURSELF AT A MEMORIAL
SERVICE LATER.
 
4.  NONE OF US ARE IMMUNE.  THE "AID LIFE" SEVEN-STEP GUIDELINE
PROVIDES PRACTICAL RESPONSES TO A POSSIBLE SUICIDE THREAT:
    A  -  ASK THE PERSON IF THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE
    I  -  INTERVENE IMMEDIATELY
    D  -  DON'T KEEP IT A SECRET
    L  -  LOCATE HELP
    I  -  INFORM YOUR CHAIN OF COMMAND
    F  -  FIND SOMEONE TO ASSIST; DON'T LEAVE THE PERSON ALONE
    E  -  EXPEDITE, GET HELP RIGHT AWAY
 
5.  ALL HANDS SHOULD BE AWARE OF LOCAL ASSISTANCE RESOURCES, AND THE
CHAIN OF COMMAND MUST ENSURE THIS INFORMATION IS READILY AVAILABLE.
MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITIES, FLEET AND FAMILY SUPPORT CENTERS,
CHAPLAINS, DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADVISORS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE REHABILITATION
PROGRAMS, MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS, AND EMERGENCY CARE CENTERS ARE ALL
POISED AND TRAINED TO HELP.
 
6.  THE VIDEO, "SUICIDE AWARENESS: MAKING THE CRITICAL DECISION"
(PIN: 806677), IS INCLUDED IN THE GMT PROGRAM.  LESSON TOPIC 2-2,
SUICIDE AWARENESS, WAS SHIPPED TO COMMAND TRAINING OFFICERS 1 MAY
2003.  ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE VIDEO CAN BE ORDERED FREE OF CHARGE
THROUGH THE DEFENSE VISUAL INFORMATION WEBSITE AT
HTTP:/DODIMAGERY.AFIS.OSD.MIL.  ORDERS MAY BE PLACED AT THE SITE
THROUGH THE DAVIS/DITIS SEARCH OPTION.  CHOOSE THE PIN/ICN SEARCH
OPTION AND ENTER PIN NUMBER 806677.  CHECK WITH YOUR COMMAND
TRAINING OFFICER, GMT PROGRAM COORDINATOR, OR CMC TO OBTAIN THE
LATEST SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING MATERIALS RELEASED THIS PAST
SPRING.
 
7.  POC IS CDR KEVIN KENNEDY, PERS-661, AT (901) 874-4256/DSN 882 OR
E-MAIL:  KEVIN.KENNEDY1 NAVY.MIL.
 
8.  RELEASED BY VADM G. L. HOEWING, N1.//
 
BT
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