What each of us can do to help prevent suicide

In late 2009, the Total Force Strategy and Management Department, in concert with its Civilian Employee Assistance Program (CEAP), launched a plan to train each member of the workforce — for the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, NAVFAC (Public Works), and Commander Navy Region South West organizations — on suicide awareness and prevention. The three main messages of the training were:

We all must work together to discontinue the rise in suicides within the Department of Navy.

Be aware of your coworkers’ states of mind.

Help is readily available.

The reason for the training was that suicides in the Department of Navy — among a combination of military, civilian, and contractor personnel — have been on the rise in the last few years. The Navy has reported 46 Active Duty/Selective Reserve suicides for 2009, and 18 for the first half of 2010.

Civilian statistics are not as current. In 2007, California reported 2,871 suicides, more than 10 percent of the U.S. total of 27,509. There are nearly 1 million suicide attempts in the U.S. each year.

The Department of Navy’s goal is not just to have a decline in suicides, but rather to have zero suicides in the future.

Since many suicides are preventable, attendees were provided information on possible signs that coworkers may be depressed, need help, and/or may actually be contemplating suicide.

The warning signs that we should pay particular attention to are: a prior suicide attempt, talking about suicide and making a plan, giving away prized possessions, preoccupation with death, signs of depression, hopelessness and anxiety, and increased drug and alcohol use.

Some estimate as many as 80 percent of those thinking about suicide desire recognition of their emotional pain and want someone’s help to stop them from dying.

If you feel like you might harm yourself, or know someone who might, there is hope, and you should call a CEAP counselor at Point Mugu at 989-8161 or the 24-hour hotline, 1-800-991-5272.

Many people have overcome suicidal feelings by getting help, which is easily available. Please reach out to somebody whenever you experience these feelings of hopelessness.

Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu military personnel may contact the Fleet and Family Service Center (FFSC) at 989-8146.

The Civilian Employee Assistance Program is available to all government civilian employees for help with any personal, family or work-related problems. CEAP counselors at Point Mugu can be reached at 989-8161.

Additionally, a Suicide Prevention Office was created within the Total Force Strategy and Management Department. Lynn Wade is the current coordinator of the NAWCWD CEAP and Suicide Prevention programs and can be reached during working hours at (760) 939-2326.

“Death isn’t the only way to end [the] pain. There are other ways to end the pain besides death.” — Terry Wise, suicide attempt survivor

For additional information, go to www.suicide.navy.mil.

Please remember, suicide is a permanent and irrevocable solution to a temporary problem.