UNCLASSIFIED

ROUTINE

R 082000Z SEP 17

FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC

TO ALNAV

INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
CNO WASHINGTON DC
CMC WASHINGTON DC

BT
UNCLAS

ALNAV 060/17

MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/SEP//

SUBJ/SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH//

RMKS/1.  Suicide is preventable.  Every day, across the globe, Sailors, 
Marines, employees, and family members successfully get help with the 
challenges they face before those challenges become unmanageable.  I 
encourage everyone to reach out for help before suicidal thoughts develop or 
progress.  In most cases, those who do seek help return to full duty, with 
security clearances intact.  Yet, every year we continue to lose valuable 
Sailors, Marines, employees, and family members to this preventable tragedy.  
These losses leave voids in our units and families, hurting us all.  As we 
recognize Suicide Prevention Month this September, I ask every member of the 
Department of the Navy (DON) to recommit themselves to be there for their 
brothers and sisters, in and out of uniform.  We all owe it to ourselves, our 
shipmates, and our families to recognize when help is needed, provide for 
that help, and fully resume our lives.

2.  The DON is committed to preventing suicide and providing for our Sailors, 
Marines, employees, and their families in need through a public health 
approach and evidence-based programs.  The Navy and Marine Corps suicide 
prevention offices, in concert with the Defense Suicide Prevention Office, 
provides evidence-based training and robust support programs to mitigate 
stress factors and provide for necessary physical, behavioral, and mental 
health services.  Our military and Nations top researchers are using the 
power of social media to highlight the red flags of suicidal ideation for 
families and friends.  We are using new technologies to study the 
relationship between suicide and traumatic brain injuries, and providing 
virtual Hope Boxes to Service Members and health care professionals.  This 
and other research helps to address and reduce the stress and the triggers 
that may lead to thoughts of suicide.  Together, we will make it our duty to 
create a healthy and accepting environment in which our Service Members can 
seek help.  The DON continues to be there until no Sailor or Marine chooses 
to end his or her life.

3.  If you or someone you know is in need of help, or if you want to talk 
about the stress in your life, please call the Military Crisis Hotline (1-
800-273-8255, press 1), Military OneSource (1-800-342-9647), or DSTRESS for a 
Marine-to-Marine approach (1-877-476-7734).  Civilian employees and their 
families can reach out to the Civilian Employee Assistance Program (CEAP) at 
1-844-366-2327,
1-866-829-0270 (international), or http://DONCEAP.foh.hhs.gov.

4.  Additional resources are available:
    a.  Navy suicide prevention webpage (http://www.public.navy.mil/
bupers-npc/support/21st_Century_Sailor/suicide_prevention/Pages/default.aspx)
    b.  Marine Corps suicide prevention webpage (http://www.usmc-mccs.org/
services/support/suicide-prevention)
    c.  Virtual Hope Boxes (http://t2health.dcoe.mil/apps/virtual-hope-box)

5.  Thank you for the work you do every day in service to this great country!

6.  Released by the Honorable Richard V. Spencer, Secretary of the Navy.//

BT
#0001
NNNN
UNCLASSIFIED//