Suicide
From Acting DHA Director, Dr. David Smith: Suicide Prevention
Teammates,
Suicide remains a leading cause of death in the United States, and an enduring challenge within the Department of Defense.
Within our military communities, we know that challenges like deployments, family separation, financial stressors, combat experiences, the transition to civilian life, and workload can significantly impact mental and emotional well-being.
I want to reinforce a crucial message: Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
The federal government, the Department of Defense, and the Military Health System have developed resources and tools to help individuals and families with managing their mental health. We’ve made important strides in breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health care and ensuring you and those we serve have access to all available resources.
This email outlines the many resources available to you, your family, your team members, and our patient population.
Immediate support (if you or someone you know is in crisis):
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, text, or chat 988 anytime for immediate, confidential support.
- Military Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text 838255, or chat at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/.
- Emergency Services: If you feel you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Behavioral health resources:
- inTransition Program: Provides confidential, specialized support for service members, veterans, and their families seeking mental healthcare.
- Psychological Health Resource Center (PHRC): Offers information and resources on psychological health concerns for service members, veterans, and their families.
- Military OneSource: Provides a wide range of free and confidential resources, including counseling, financial assistance, and legal support, in addition to TRICARE services.
- Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR): Offers recreational activities and programs that can promote well-being and build social connections.
- Chaplains: Provide confidential counseling and spiritual guidance.
- Substance Use Disorder Programs: Offers support and treatment for substance use disorders.
- TRICARE Mental Health Services: Information about mental health coverage and finding providers.
Supporting a Teammate:
If you notice a teammate struggling, here’s how you can help:
- Start a private conversation: Let them know you’re concerned and available to listen without judgment. Show empathy and create a safe space for them to share. Sometimes, simply listening and validating their feelings can make a significant difference.
- Encourage professional help: Suggest they consider speaking with a Military and Family Life Counselor (MFLC) or a mental health professional. Reassure them that seeking help is a sign of strength.
- Emphasize confidentiality: Remind them that many resources offer confidential support.
- Offer resource suggestions: Share information about financial counseling, behavioral health, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (see more information below), or chaplain services.
- Promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Remind them that immediate help is available 24/7 by calling, texting, or chatting 988.
- Follow up: Check in with your teammate regularly to see how they are doing and offer ongoing support.
- Be brave: Don’t be afraid to alert their chain of command, family, or someone else in a position to influence them to seek help.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
The DHA offers a confidential EAP for civilians, managed by Magellan Ascend Federal, which is available 24/7/365 at 866-580-9046. Contact them for support with:
- Counseling Services: Addressing financial issues, legal concerns (estate planning, family law, etc.), and credit restoration.
- Senior Care Management: Assessing caregiving needs and recommending appropriate solutions.
- Online Programs: Accessing self-guided programs for stress management, resilience building, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and substance misuse.
- Monthly Live Webinars: Participating in free webinars on relevant topics. Recordings are available on the Magellan Ascend website within 10 business days.
One life lost to suicide is too many. We are all in this together. Please look after yourselves and your teammates.
V/R Dave
David J. Smith, M.D.
Acting Director, Defense Health Agency
Suicide Prevention Month
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SUBJ/Suicide Prevention Month //
RMKS/1. September is Suicide Prevention Month. During this observance, we
reinforce our collective commitment to building a culture of warfighting
excellence by preserving the health, safety, and well-being of our Department
of the Navy (DON) Sailors, Marines, civilians, and their families. Suicide
deaths have a profound impact on affected individuals and their broader
community. Survivors of suicide loss, including family, friends, and
communities, contend with grief and bereavement, and often face unique
challenges such as shame, stigma, and trauma that may not accompany other
types of loss.
2. Effective suicide prevention requires a comprehensive, all-hands effort.
We are collectively responsible for establishing psychologically safe
environments that combat feelings of isolation and reduce suicidal ideation
and behaviors. The DON is committed to implementing support and resources
that extend beyond ensuring access to mental health care and promoting lethal
means safety. In addition to these important strategies to prevent suicide
death, the DON is also investing in initiatives that promote enhanced quality
of life and quality of work.
3. The theme of this year's Suicide Prevention Month is "Your Quality of
Service Matters: Navy and Marine Corps Resources." Every Sailor and Marine
deserves to serve in a climate where health and well-being needs extend
beyond the workplace. Adopting a Quality of Service
(QoS) approach acknowledges that experiences outside the workplace are
necessarily intertwined with those experiences in the workplace, and both are
critical to maintaining Sailor and Marine resilience. QoS in the DON
encompasses a commitment to excellence in operational readiness, care of
Service Members and DON civilians, healthcare provision, family support, and
community engagement.
4. To enhance QoS for Sailors and Marines, I expect leaders at all levels to
continue:
a. Fostering a positive and supportive command climate that directly
mitigates stigma against help- seeking. Implementation of the Brandon Act
across the DON allows Service Members to self-initiate referrals for mental
health evaluations. The full support of Commanding Officers and supervisors
in these referrals reinforces the critical message that help-seeking is a
sign of strength.
b. Prioritizing access to medical and non-medical counseling services.
The DON's "No Wrong Door" approach to mental health care provides Sailors and
Marines access to the full continuum of resources while aiming to provide the
right care, at the right level, at the right time.
c. Promoting a culture that prioritizes lethal means safety as crucial
for suicide prevention.
Firearms continue to be the leading method of suicide death among Service
Members. Through collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the
DON has distributed 263,000 gun locks across the Navy and Marine Corps.
d. Encouraging Service Members and families who are experiencing stress,
trauma, or other challenges to access Marine and Family and Fleet and Family
Support Programs.
e. Emphasizing the importance of nutrition, proper sleep scheduling,
managing stress, and prioritizing spiritual and social well-being.
5. I expect DON leadership to leverage their influence and authority to
enhance QoS and suicide prevention efforts within the DON. When we
prioritize each Sailor and Marine's QoS, we foster a sense of trust that
their individual well-being - and the well-being of those they love - matters
most of all. Let's put our words into actions through steadfast, responsive
leadership, and ongoing systems of support. It is through this dedication
that we will be able to fully achieve the health and well-being of our Navy
and Marine Corps family.
6. If you or someone you know is in crisis, resources for mental, physical,
emotional, and spiritual support are available 24/7, 365.
a. The National Suicide Hotline: Dial 988.
b. The Veterans/Military Crisis Line: Dial 988 (press 1) or Text 838255
/
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ /
Europe: +1 844-702-5495 or DSN 988 / Southwest Asia: +1 855-422-7719 or DSN
988 / Pacific: +1 844-702-5493 or DSN 988.
c. Psychological Health Outreach Program (PHOP):
1-866-578-PHOP(7467) for Navy and Marine Reservists and their families /
Psychological Health Outreach Program (marines.mil).
d. Military OneSource: 800-342-9647 /
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/.
e. Vet Centers: 877-WAR-VETS (877-927-8387) /
https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/.
f. DON Civilian Employee Assistance Program
(DONCEAP): 844-DONCEAP (1-844-366-2327) / TTY: 888-
262-7848 / International: 866-829-0270 / https://www.magellanascend.com/.
g. Local resources: Fleet and Family Support Centers, Marine and Family
Services, Military Family Life Counselors, Deployment Resiliency Counselors,
chaplains, and your leadership.
7. Released by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy.//
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