CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 181350Z SEP 23 MID120000447832U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 220/23 PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/SEP// SUBJ/SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH// RMKS/1. September is Suicide Prevention Month. This year, the Department of Defense's theme is "Connect to Protect; Support is within Reach," which highlights the value of unit connectedness as a key protective factor in suicide prevention. Suicide Prevention is an All Hands effort. We must dedicate ourselves to fostering supportive environments where Service Members feel connected with one another, seek help without fear, and can readily access mental health resources when needed. 2. To prevent suicide, it is critical that every Navy unit has a command-wide climate built on trust and respect, with high protective factors and low risk factors, where the stigma for seeking help does not exist. NAVADMIN 139/23, "Revisions to Command Climate Assessments," and its supporting fact sheet provide guidance for the 2023 Command Climate Assessment Annual Fielding Window, emphasizing the importance of building the protective factors of connectedness and inclusion, while targeting recognized risk factors of moderate and high stress; workplace hostility; and the presence of harassing behaviors (both racial and sexual). The fact sheet provides manners and methods for doing so. 3. A healthy command climate that promotes high morale and significantly reduces stress should be an essential part of every unit's suicide prevention program. Suicide prevention should be part of a command's daily business, and every member of our Navy team should be prepared to recognize warning signs and provide our people the help and care they need. a. The Mental Health Playbook (V1.1) offers guidance on how to have effective conversations that promote trust and create a sense of connectedness. https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Support/Culture%20Resilience/Leaders _Toolkit/Mental%20Health%20Playbook%20July%202023%20Update.pdf?ver=VadB7xCFsa 6JZs35TCd2ZQ%3d%3d b. If you believe that a shipmate is experiencing suicidal thoughts, remember to ACT - Ask, Care, Treat. (1) Ask - Ask your shipmate directly "are you thinking about killing yourself? Do you have a plan to kill yourself?" (2) Care - Tell your shipmate that you're concerned about them, without judgment. (3) Treat - Take your shipmate to get help immediately and stay with your shipmate until they are directly connected with immediate care. c. Service Members within the Continental United States (CONUS) experiencing suicidal ideation should call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1, or go directly to the nearest emergency room. d. Service Members outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) experiencing suicidal ideation should call Europe: 00800 1273 8255 or DSN 118, Korea: 080-855-5118 or DSN 118, Philippines: Dial #MYVA or 02-8550-3888 and press 7. For all other locations, reach out via the Veterans Crisis Line by following the country code dialing procedures to call the CONUS 800 number (1-800- 273-8225 and press 1). Alternatively, Service Members can open a chat at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/ and request a phone call from the crisis line responder who will call them at any OCONUS location, or follow local procedures to access emergency care. 4. The majority of Sailors and family members who die by suicide use personal firearms to take their lives. Consistently storing personal firearms in a gun safe or with a gun lock, and separate from ammunition is critical to preventing a Service Member or family member from taking an impulsive, highly lethal action. a. More than 413,400 gun locks have been distributed Navy-wide since 2020 and are available free of charge at all Fleet and Family Service Centers and Navy Reserve Centers. b. For more information, posters and products on Lethal Means Safety see https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Support-Services/Culture-Resilience/Suicide- Prevention/Products-Resources/. 5. Numerous resources are available for commands, Service Members and their families. a. Access to mental health care is a key protective factor in suicide prevention. Refer to the mental health care roadmap on the back of the Mental Health Playbook for resources on access to care. Additionally, NAVADMIN 166/23, "Self-Initiated Referral Process for Mental Health Evaluations of Service Members" was issued in July 2023. This policy can be found at: https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/References/Messages/NAVADMIN-2023/. b. Chaplains are also a significant part of our continuum of care. Chaplains offer a uniquely protected confidentiality to our Sailors that makes them a safe place to start seeking care. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or feelings, you can reach out to a chaplain. c. The Project 1 Small Act (P1SA) campaign provides a toolkit of suicide prevention activities, not just for Suicide Prevention month but for use year round. A recently updated Suicide Prevention Handbook and General Military Training products are also available on the website at: https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Support-Services/Culture- Resilience/Suicide-Prevention/Products-Resources/ d. Sailor Assistance and Intercept for Life (SAIL) is an evidence-informed intervention program that assigns a case worker to provide rapid assistance, ongoing risk assessment, care coordination, and reintegration assistance to Active Duty Sailors who experience a suicide ideation or attempt. 6. The point of contact for Navy specific suicide prevention questions is the Navy Culture and Force Resilience Office via e-mail at suicideprevention@navy.mil. 7. Released by Vice Admiral Richard J. Cheeseman, Jr., N1.// BT #0001 NNNN CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED//