DECEMBER 2014
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5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT REDUCING ACCESS TO LETHAL MEANS Navy has released guidance for commanding officers (CO) and health professionals on reducing access to commonly used highly lethal methods of suicide (lethal means) through voluntary storage of privately-owned firearms. This guidance is part of a broader Department of Defense (DoD) strategy to help prevent suicide in the military. Below are five things all Sailors should know about the guidance to make an informed decision if the need arises: 1. Why was the guidance developed? Firearms were used in half of all Navy suicide deaths in 2012 and 2013, and continue to be the primary method used in both military and civilian suicides. Research indicates that suicides can be prevented when a highly lethal method isn’t readily available. These voluntary measures are intended to save Sailors’ lives by helping them avoid taking irreversible actions, providing the opportunity for intervention and care. 2. What does the guidance do? NAVADMIN 263/14 states that commanders and health professionals may ask Sailors, who are believed to be at risk for suicide or causing harm to others, to voluntarily allow their privately-owned firearms to be stored for safekeeping by the command. It also establishes procedures to protect the rights of Sailors who consent to storage. The guidance applies to all Sailors (both active and reserve) and aligns with Section 1057 of the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2013. 3. What does it mean to “voluntarily surrender my privately-owned firearm?” If a Sailor agrees to temporarily surrender his or her weapon for safekeeping, the commanding officer will ensure that it is securely stored on the installation or other available location in coordination with local authorities. It will be returned at a later time upon the Sailor’s request or at the end of the predetermined storage period set between the CO and the Sailor. 4. Can my privately-owned firearm be taken without my consent? No. While COs and health professionals are authorized to inquire about a Sailor’s privatelyowned firearms if they believe the Sailor is at risk, surrendering the firearm is entirely voluntary. Incentives and disincentives shall not be offered to coerce the Sailor and influence his or her decision. 5. What are common warning signs that may indicate a Sailor is “at risk for suicide?” Signs may include expressing thoughts of hurting oneself or others, developing plans to take lethal action, giving away possessions, social withdrawal, expressing feelings of hopelessness or despair, uncharacteristic substance abuse or violence. For more information, refer to NAVADMIN 263/14, visit Navy Suicide Prevention or the Defense Suicide Prevention Office.
The Keep What You’ve Earned campaign is encouraging all Sailors to take the pledge to be a designated driver this season. Click the image to download a printable “designated driver holiday gift card” and take the pledge today!
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LIFELINK NEWSLETTER • VOL. 3, ISSUE 12 • A PRODUCT OF OPNAV N171
DECEMBER 2014
LIFELINK NEWSLETTER LIFELINK SPOTLIGHT
RESILIENCE CORNER
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
Get the Facts: Psychological Health Treatment and your Security Clearance
Laboratory staff demonstrate the Rubber Band Theory. Photo by MC2 (SW) Terah Bryant.
There are endless ways to educate your shipmates and community on the stressors that may have an impact on psychological and emotional health. In September, Navy Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) staff aimed to encourage and showcase that creativity by holding an “Every Sailor, Every Day” themed health fair. The fair featured booths and demonstrations from several groups, including NMCP staff, Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD), Military OneSource, and Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center. Taking a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention, displays at the fair encompassed everything from navigating work stress, to encouraging use of resources for everyday stress, increasing recognition of risk factors and warning signs, and more. “We wanted to focus on resilience,” said Lt. Karen Downer. “We want to catch people before they get to the level of hurting themselves.” NMCP Laboratory staff took an interactive approach by demonstrating the “Rubber Band Theory.” One Sailor stood in the center while others pulled in different directions on elastic wrapped around her, depicting the effects multiple sources of stress can have. “If you don’t ask for help, you can break,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Jamie Berg. NMCP’s Wellness Department distributed “Work Stress Buster” informational cards to help personnel remain resilient at the workplace and navigate operational stress, while another display encouraged attendees to “Pledge to ACT.” At the conclusion of the fair, the top three booths were awarded a certificate, with the “Rubber Band Theory” demonstration taking top honors. Bravo Zulu, NMCP, for your dedication toward creatively engaging your shipmates, bringing conversations about stress and suicide to the forefront! More here.
One of the most significant barriers perceived by service members about seeking help for psychological health concerns is the impact that it may have during the security clearance process. However, the Department of Defense views seeking help as a sign of strength, and offers protections against negative consequences for individuals who have sought psychological health treatment. Standard Form 86 (SF 86) is used to apply for all national security clearances, and Question 21 on that form addresses psychological health. Executive Order 12968, “Access to Classified Information,” reinforces that psychological health counseling in and of itself is not a reason to revoke or deny eligibility for receiving a clearance. Below are three truths that counter common misconceptions about answering SF 86 Question 21. 1. Truth: Less than 1% of security clearance denials and revocations involve psychological health concerns. Seeking help for psychological well-being is not only viewed as a sign of strength, but as a sign of good judgment and reliability—desirable traits for clearance eligibility. 2. Truth: Not all psychological health treatment is required to be reported when answering Question 21. Counseling received for adjustments from service in a military combat environment, marital, family or grief concerns, or related to being a victim of sexual assault do not need to be reported on your SF 86. 3. Truth: Any psychological health care you report is protected by privacy rights. Personnel security investigators can only ask your psychological health care provider questions about your counseling. Additionally, when speaking to providers, investigators must first ask if you are coping with a psychological health concern that may impact your judgment, reliability or ability to safeguard classified information. If the answer is ‘no,’ further questions are not authorized. By spreading the truth, together we can help educate our shipmates and community that it’s okay to speak up when you’re down. More information is available on www.suicideoutreach.org.
LIFELINK NEWSLETTER • VOL. 3, ISSUE 12 • A PRODUCT OF OPNAV N171
DECEMBER 2014
LIFELINK NEWSLETTER UPCOMING EVENTS Impaired Driving Prevention Month December
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TIPS TO CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY WITHOUT ADDING STRESS AND KEEP WHAT YOU’VE EARNED The holidays are full of joy, love, and festivities, but they can also bring an increased level of stress and anxiety, making it more important than ever to make healthy decisions. Below are tips on responsible drinking to help get you through the holiday season and keep what you’ve earned:
We’ve all heard the “I’ve had a stressful day” excuse for having a drink or two too many. Drinking alcohol may lead to positive feelings and relaxation momentarily, but if you regularly try to deal with stress through drinking it can lead to serious problems, increasing your risk for alcohol dependence and impacting psychological health. If you’re feeling stressed this holiday season, seek healthy ways to unwind (exercise, yoga, meditation, or just taking a moment each day for yourself to relax). If self-medicating with alcohol has become a common practice for you, it’s probably time to self-refer for help. Talk to your Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor (DAPA), chaplain, doctor, or command leadership about where to get help.
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Planning to hit the road for the holidays? Don’t forget to use TRiPS! Happy Holidays!
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Don’t rely on alcohol to reduce your stress:
Practice good self-care: As your work demands and/or social calendar fill up it can become more difficult to make time to stay healthy. While it’s okay to allow yourself to enjoy a few treats, be careful not to overindulge—especially when it comes to alcohol. Drinking in excess during the holiday season can lead to bad decision making, whether it’s the decision to overeat, skip the gym, or worse, the decision to drive yourself home after drinking. Keep your diet and exercise routines on track and don’t let alcohol side track you—you’ll feel better for doing so!
Know your limit and plan ahead: The holiday season is packed with parties and festivities. If you find yourself drinking more often during the holiday season, you should know your limit, don’t try to keep up with others, and learn to say no to peer pressure to drink more than you had planned. You should also plan ahead for a safe ride home before you go out for the night. Make the choice: will you drink or will you drive? Remember that even buzzed driving is illegal, and more importantly, can lead to dangerous accidents. Exercise Controllability and Trust to help you keep what you’ve earned—monitor your consumption and don’t put your friends and shipmates at risk by deciding to drink after committing to serve as a designated driver.
Click here for more tips and resources to help you get ahead of holiday stress and Keep an Even Keel this season.
Talk it out: Do you often feel alone amongst all of the holiday activities and social gatherings? Do your experiences over the past year feel magnified during this time? Rather than bottling up your feelings—or turning to the bottle to relieve stress—it’s important that you talk to a family member, shipmate, DAPA, chaplain, or professional. If drinking for stress relief is an ongoing problem, remember that a self-referral is the best option for seeking help. When Sailors get help via a self-referral or through the help of their command, neither results in disciplinary action.
Keep an Even Keel—and Keep What You’ve Earned this holiday season!
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LIFELINK NEWSLETTER • VOL. 3, ISSUE 12 • A PRODUCT OF OPNAV N171