AIGIST 30, 2016, FALLS CHURCH, Va. (NNS) – Navy Medicine recognizes September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, beginning Sept. 1. The theme for Suicide Prevention Month 2016 is “Be There.”
Throughout the month, Navy Medicine will highlight the power of peer support and personal wellness, encouraging Sailors and Marines to be there for their shipmates.
“Action starts with prevention,” said Vice Adm. Forrest Faison, Navy surgeon general and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED). “When a Sailor needs assistance, easy access to support resources and mental health treatment is essential, as is validation of help-seeking behaviors.”
Suicide prevention is a yearlong effort. Suicide Prevention Month serves as a reminder that building resilience and preventing suicide requires all members of the Navy and Marine Corps community to work together. Every life lost to suicide is one too many.
“Take action if you notice anything out of the ordinary for a shipmate; reach out to them,” Faison said. “If you are having difficulties, seek help if needed. Seeking help is a sign of strength. It’s okay to speak up when you’re down.”
Everyday connections can make a big difference to someone feeling alone, in crisis or having thoughts of suicide. One small act can open the door for support by breaking the silence and facilitating early intervention.
Throughout the month, Navy Medicine will share resources to help Sailors, Marines and their families recognize the warning signs of suicide and what they can do to help.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, seek assistance immediately by contacting the Military Crisis Line by calling 1-800-273-8255, online at http://www.militarycrisisline.net/ or sending a text message to 838255.
U.S. Navy Medicine is a global health care network of 63,000 Navy medical personnel around the world who provide high-quality health care to more than 1 million eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support aboard ships, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.
