Navy Suicide Prevention Program

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Navy Suicide Prevention Program

• LCDR Bonnie Chavez
• [phone] / DSN 882-6613
• bonnie.chavez_at_navy.mil

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Overview of Navy Suicide Prevention

• Introduction
• Some Information
• Prevention Approach
• Command Programs
• Initiatives

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Navy Suicide Rates/100K(CY-91 to CY-07)
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Navy Associated Stressors
All Services report similar stressors with
Relationship Problems as 1
Suicide is complex! 30 of Sailors have 10 or
more risk factors and stressors

• Common Risk Factors

• Recent Feelings of Depression 40
• History of Psychiatric Condition 32
• Recent Feelings of Anxiety 27
• Recent Feelings of Guilt 26
• Alcohol Abuse in the last year 25

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Why Do People Commit Suicide
Suicide is complex. Demographics and associated
stressors fail to fully answer questions about
why we lose Sailors.

• Current research and theory in the field of
  suicidology point to 4 key elements that combine
  for a suicide to occur (Joiner 2005)
• Psychological pain
• Persons belief that s/he is ineffective and has
  become a burden to others
• Persons belief that s/he does not belong and
  that any important relationships are disrupted
• Acquired ability to enact lethal self-injury

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Warning SignsIS PATH WARM

• I IDEATION. Thoughts of suicide expressed,
  threatened, written or otherwise hinted at by
  efforts to find means to suicide.
• S SUBSTANCE USE. Increased or excessive
  alcohol or drug use.
• P PURPOSELESSNESS. Seeing no reason for
  living or having no sense of meaning or purpose
  in life.
• A ANXIETY. Feeling anxious, agitated, or
  unable to sleep. (Or sleeping all the time).
• T TRAPPED. Feeling trapped, like there is no
  way out.
• H HOPELESSNESS. Feeling hopeless about self,
  others, the future.
• W WITHDRAWAL. Withdrawing from family,
  friends, usual activities, society.
• A ANGER. Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger,
  seeking revenge for perceived wrongs.
• R RECKLESSNESS. Acting without regard for
  consequences, excessively risky behavior,
  seemingly without thinking.
• M MOOD CHANGES. Experiencing dramatic changes
  in mood.

From The American Association of Suicidology
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Resilience Factors

• Unit cohesion/ camaraderie
• Humor
• Healthy lifestyle promotion
• Effective problem-solving skills
• Positive attitude about getting help
• Optimistic outlook
• Spiritual support
• Beliefs counter to suicide
• that support self-preservation

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• ACT

• ASK Dont be afraid to ask
• CARE Listen, offer hope, dont judge
• TREAT Take action, get assistance, follow up!!

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Helping a Suicidal Person

• Be direct
• Be willing to listen
• Be non-judgmental
• Get involved
• Dont dare him or her to do it
• Dont act shocked
• Dont be sworn to secrecy
• Offer hope
• ACT
• Get help

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Prevention Approach
SECONDARY
POST
PRIMARY
Life Stress Risk Factors
Suicidal
Suicidal Behavior

• Resilience Building
• Awareness Training
• Life Skills
• Strengthen Families
• Cohesion

• Vigilance
• Referral
• Counseling

• Get to Safety
• Treatment
• Follow Up

• Report
• Help Survivors

Prevention Efforts

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Command Suicide Prevention ProgramsOPNAVINST
1720.4

• Appoint a Suicide Prevention Coordinator

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Training

• Leader messages on suicide prevention topics
• Annual Training (GMT)
• Helping shipmates -every members duty
• Factors that increase and decrease Risk
• Appropriate actions responses
• How to obtain assistance
• Health Promotion / Life Skills
• (OPNAVINST 6100.2A)

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Intervention

• Written Suicide Prevention and Crisis Response
  Plan
• Identify Sailors in need of assistance
• Command-Directed Mental Health Evaluation
• SECNAVINST 6320.24A
• Provide support for those seeking help
• Ensure access to supportive resources
• Follow up

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Reporting

• DoDSER (Department of Defense Suicide Event
  Report)
• All suicides or undetermined deaths where suicide
  has not been ruled out
• Keep copies of medical/personnel records to
  complete report
• Used to understand factors related to Navy
  suicides to inform prevention efforts and policy
• Personnel Casualty Report / OPREP /SITREP
• Suicide Attempts
• Other Suicide Related Behaviors

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Suicide Response

• Chaplain / Fleet and Family Support Centers
• SPRINT Special Psychiatric Rapid Intervention
  Teams
• CACO Casualty Assistance Calls Officer

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Initiatives

• Big Picture Operational Stress Control
• OPNAV N135 Personal Readiness Summits
• www.suicide.navy.mil
• FY09 poster series and new brochure
• Front line supervisor training
• Policy changes

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• If we ACT to look out for those in need get
  them needed help, we can dramatically reduce this
  preventable cause of death
• Resources
• Chain of Command
• Fleet and Family Support Center
• Chaplains / Religious Services
• Medical Treatment Facility / Mental Health
• Military One Source 1-800-342-9647

For more information go to www.suicide.navy.mil
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Navy Suicides During and Post OIF/OEF Deployment
Jan 2002 Sept 2007
Number of Suicides
Months Since Deployment
Source DMDC and AFIP
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Support Service Use Prior to Suicide

From DONSIR Data 1999-2004
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Give Help a Chance

• If you have thoughts of suicide, realize people
  are willing to help with more solutions than you
  can think of on your own give help a chance
  dont wait until your thinking closes in on you
• Time and again when we lose a shipmate to
  suicide, those left behind would have been more
  than willing to help if given a chance

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Take Care of Each Other

• Reaching out when problems are small keeps them
  from growing to be overwhelming
• If you or someone you know is
• Feeling unhappy often
• Not enjoying things as much
• Having trouble sleeping or eating
• Getting irritable
• Making poor choices about alcohol
• Having relationship problems
• ACT reach out to the support team and get back
  up to full speed as early as possible

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Navy Suicide Characteristics

• CONUS 89
• Occurred while on liberty 67
• Location was residence 67
• Method was firearm 54
• Alcohol factor 33