September 2016
In This Issue Effective Coping Skills Suicide Prevention Suicide Prevention Month Base Events USNH Yokosuka Events For Suicide Prevention Tobacco Cessation-Class Schedule Health Promotion Calendar Health Promotion Services Meet the Staff
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Suicide Prevention Month
Ways To By: Hospital Corpsman James Ditaranto USNH Yokosuka, Mental Health Dept. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and the Navy is using the month as a launch pad to focus on Navy's ongoing suicide prevention efforts. During this month we encourage building resilience, navigating stress, encouraging bystander intervention to A-C-T (Ask Care Treat), and reducing barriers for seeking support through counseling. The tools and resources are available on www.suicide.navy.mil and www.navynavstress.com. These tools emphasize the themes of dedication, optimism, determination and humor. "Our people are our greatest asset," said Capt. Kurt Scott, Behavioral Health Programs director, Bureau of Naval Personnel. "We're promoting a lifestyle of total fitness - physically, mentally, socially and spiritually - to ensure our Sailors are best able to meet the challenges they will face in today's Navy. These efforts reinforce the Secretary of the Navy's 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative, as well as support the Chief of Naval Operation's directions. Most importantly, focusing on total fitness puts us on a path to prevent suicides." Many people experience depression at one point or another in their life. Whether it’s caused by death of a family member, environmental stressors, or mental illness, feelings of depression can become difficult for many people. Unfortunately some people get so depressed as a result of their mental illness or life circumstances that they consider suicide as an option to escape from their emotional pain. Most people who consider suicide don’t really want to die, they just don’t know how to cope with or eliminate the pain they are going through. For September’s Suicide Awareness month, we are requesting quotes, thoughts, or memories that align with suicide prevention and awareness which we will have posted anonymously on the Quarter Deck throughout the month of September. If you have had suicidal thoughts, known someone who has had suicidal thoughts, or lost someone to suicide please write a message expressing your thoughts to help others understand that they are not alone, and that help is available. The underlying 2 theme of all these messages is that you are not alone, each message providing a unique reason and perspective. For most people, suicidal feelings are caused by a lack of pleasure and/or an inability to cope with the pain that they are experiencing.
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A.S.K.-How To Help
How To Help BY: Fire Controlman 2nd Class Michael Bridges Asst. Suicide Prevention Coordinator For Fleet Activities Yokosuka The Navy's slogan for suicide prevention is ACT (Ask, Care, Treat). -Ask (Be willing to listen) Stay Calm ASK the person what is bothering them and persist to overcome any reluctance to talk. Don’t judge. Don't be afraid to ASK whether he or she is considering suicide, or if they have a plan in mind. Don't act shocked, surprised or try to argue. Don’t be sworn to secrecy.
- Care (Take it seriously) Most people give some warning of their suicidal intentions to a friend or family member. All suicide threats and attempts must be taken seriously Let him or her know you CARE, that he or she is not alone, that suicidal feelings are temporary, depression can be treated and problems can be solved. Offer Hope. - Treat (Seek Professional help) In a crisis: Take your friend or loved one to a person or agency specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention. It is always OK to take him or her to an emergency room or walk-in clinic. Don’t leave them alone until help is available. Take action. Remove means, such as guns stockpiled pills, ropes or sharp objects. Follow up: Suicidal individuals are often hesitant to seek help and may avoid it after an initial contact unless there is support for their continuing. Recovering from a crisis takes some time and often has ups and downs. 3
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A.S.K.-How To Help Cont.
How To Help By: Fire Controlman 2nd Class Michael Bridges Asst. Suicide Prevention Coordinator For Fleet Activities Yokosuka
Suicide Warning Signs: Remember IS PATH WARM? Ideation – Thoughts of suicide expressed, threatened, written or otherwise hinted at by efforts to
find means to suicide, say goodbye or prepare for death. Substance use – Increased or excessive alcohol or drug use. Purposelessness – Seeing or having no sense of meaning or purpose in life. Anxiety – Feeling anxious, agitated, frequent nightmares, or unable to sleep (or sleeping all the time). Trapped – Feeling trapped, liked there is no way out. Hopelessness – Feeling hopeless about self, others, or the future. Withdrawal – Withdrawing from family, friends, usual activities, society. Anger – Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge or perceived wrongs. Recklessness – Acting without regard for consequences, excessively risky behavior. Mood changes – Experiencing dramatic changes in mood. Unstable mood.
Risk Factors
Previous Attempts Depression or anxiety Stressful situations including relationship, work, legal, financial or health problems. Transitions (deployment, PCS, discharge).
Where to go for help? - Chaplains - School Counselors 4
- Fleet and Family Support Center - Medical and Mental Health Providers
- Chain of Command - Ombudsman
Navy Suicide Awareness www.suicide.navy.mil National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK 822-273-8255 www.suididepreventionlifeline.org Military OneSource 800-342-9647 www.militaryonesource.com American Red Cross 800-REDCROSS www.redcross.org
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Suicide Prevention Month Base Events 9/2: CFAY CO Proclamation Signing and 5k Run with the Chief’s @0600-1100, Purdy Field
9/9: Open Mic Night Hosted by CSADD @1900-2200 Club Alliance
9/10: World Suicide Prevention Day Walk @ 1030 Yokohama Yamashita Park
9/10: Base Cleanup, 1 Small Act @0700 CRC Building
9/14 &15: ASIST Workshop @0800-1630 CRC Building Room 221
1000 Cranes for Suicide Awareness @USNH Quarterdeck-Entire Month of September
9/29: Candlelight Vigil Community Supporters: • Command Suicide Prevention Coordinators • FFSC • MWR Fitness • First Class Petty Officers Association • JSA • CSADD • DECA • Community Bank • NFCU • 5
POC: Christopher.Wallace3@fe.navy.mil Michael.Bridges@fe.navy.mil
@1830 Commissary Red Brick Area
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Suicide Prevention Events
•Suicide Prevention GMT, LT Hickman, Chaplain -16 August at 0800-0830, 1130-1200 Command Auditorium -23 August at 0800-0830, 1130-1200 Command Auditorium
•Suicide Prevention Training, LT Hickman, Chaplain –06 September 1200-1300 Command Auditorium –08 September 1500-1600 Command Auditorium –12 September 1200-1300 SETD Classroom –13 September 1500-1600 Command Auditorium
•Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) –14-15 September at Community Readiness Center, room #221 –Registration POC is Ms. Angie Elting, 243-5582, angela.elting.ctr@fe.navy.mil –Departments contacted: MSU, ER, Family Practice, Mental Health, and Fleet medical
•Health Promotions, LT Crouch –Suicide Intervention display at quarterdeck
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Meet The Staff
From left to right: Mrs. Mary Cobb (Secretary), LT Daniel Crouch (Division Officer), HM2 Napoleon Pareja (Clinic Leading Petty Officer), HM3 Prince Delyons (Health Tech.) HM1 Andres Raigoza (Directorate Leading Petty Officer), HN Austin Bennett (Health Tech) Mrs. Ivette Moore (Director of Health Promotion)