UNCLASSIFIED ROUTINE R 011242Z SEP 17 FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// NAVADMIN 217/17 MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/SEP// SUBJ/SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH// RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces September as Navy Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide Prevention month is not about momentary engagement, but about every day action. In 2015, 1 Small ACT became the Every Sailor, Every Day campaign central message, encouraging all members of the Navy community to use common interactions as opportunities to make a difference. A simple act of kindness can shine a light in the darkness and spark hope. 2. This year, the Navy continues to use 1 Small ACT to enlist all members of the Navy community in the fight against suicide. Here is some useful information to get involved. a. New tools: To help generate the conversation at your command, the Every Sailor, Every Day campaign promotes new tools that empower Sailors and their families to better recognize warning signs, start conversations, take the right actions to intervene, and practice ongoing safety. Posters, graphics and tips are available in the FY-18 1 Small ACT Toolkit to help identify warning signs, decrease risk during times of increased stress, and promote new resources to help Sailors recover from psychological or emotional crisis. These tools are designed not only to help others, but also to help yourself. You can access the toolkit at http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers- npc/support/21st_Century_Sailor/suicide_prevention/spmonth/Pages/Get -Involved.aspx. b. Sailor Assistance and Intercept for Life (SAIL): SAIL continues to complement our existing suicide prevention programs. It is not treatment, but a proven effective safety net utilizing the evidence-based tools of the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) and the Veterans Administration Safety Plan. Since the inception of SAIL in our Navy, not one Sailor participating in SAIL died by suicide. Post-SAIL counseling feedback from several Sailors participating in the program stated it had saved their lives. Suicide risk is highest in the 90 days following an attempt or other suicide-related behavior (SRB). The SAIL program offers a series of caring contacts, risk assessment and reintegration assistance following an SRB to promote recovery, but does not replace mental health services. It is designed to bring together support and tools to provide hope, reduce risk and promote resilience. c. Lethal Means Safety: Firearms are the most commonly used means of suicide in the Navy and across the United States, due in part to their high lethality. When under more stress than usual, using a gun lock on a personal firearm and storing it in a secured safe, separate from ammunition, can place enough distance and time between a Sailor and their weapon to interrupt the impulse for suicide and open the door for help. Navy Suicide Prevention Branch, OPNAV (N171), has worked with the Veterans Affairs Department to provide free gun locks to Sailors and their families, available at Fleet and Family Support Centers and Navy Operational Support Centers. Additionally, we encourage Sailors to consider storing their personal firearms during highly stressful periods with the help of their commands. d. C-SSRS: This evidence-based risk assessment has proven to detect both suicidal ideation and suicide attempt risk. We have trained more than 1,000 Navy attorneys, chaplains, health care providers, victim advocates and prevention specialists to employ this scale to refer at-risk individuals to appropriate care. The C-SSRS supports suicide risk assessment through a series of simple, plain-language questions that anyone can ask. The answers help the user identify whether someone is at risk for suicide, assess the severity and immediacy of that risk, and gauge the level of support that the person needs. This tool may also help the lone independent duty corpsman or duty officer establish criteria or thresholds that help make decisions about hospitalization, counseling, referrals, or other actions that are informed by the yes or no answers in conjunction with other factors, such as the recency of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. It is not a replacement for trained medical experts, but can be helpful when medical support is not readily available. C-SSRS resources are available for download at: http://cssrs.columbia.edu/the-columbia-scale-c-ssrs/military/. e. 1 Small ACT photo gallery: The 1 Small ACT photo gallery, hosted on the Every Sailor, Every Day campaign Flickr page, remains open for submissions. To date, Sailors and their families have contributed more than 600 Small ACT Selfies, featuring the many ways they support their shipmates and themselves as individuals. These selfies will be featured on Facebook to spotlight installations, units and commands. Signs and details for 1 Small ACT are available at http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers- npc/support/21st_Century_Sailor/suicide_prevention/spmonth/Pages/1-Small-ACT- .aspx. f. Preventing suicide is an all hands evolution: On 12 September 2017, at 1200 EDT, the Navy Suicide Prevention office will co-host a webinar with the Health Promotion and Wellness Department of the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center to share lessons learned from OPNAV (N171) annual-cross disciplinary case reviews. The webinar is intended for all levels of leadership, suicide prevention coordinators, health promotion coordinators, providers, chaplains and all personnel who have frequent contact with Sailors who may be at increased risk of suicide. To register, visit https://survey.max.gov/933674. 3. Suicide prevention requires continuing efforts to promote health and a sense of community. Use September to reenergize your commitment to preventing suicide all year long utilizing the above resources and evidence- based tools. Help change the conversation about suicide in the Navy by openly and honestly discussing psychological health and promoting the power of seeking help. Through ongoing engagement, connectedness and vigilance, we can be there for Every Sailor, Every Day. 4. The Military Crisis Line offers confidential support for active duty and reserve Service members and their families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, chat online at www.militarycrisisline.net or send a text message to 838255. 5. The point of contact is YNC Eric Randolph, OPNAV (N171), at (901) 874- 4227/DSN 882 or via e-mail at eric.randolph(at)navy.mil. 6. This NAVADMIN will remain in effect until superseded or canceled, whichever occurs first. 7. Released by Vice Admiral R. P. Burke, N1.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//