The Source for Navy News
New Suicide Prevention Video Available
Story Number: NNS031017-23
Release Date: 10/18/2003 9:35:00 PM
By Dean Persons, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs
PENSACOLA, Fla (NNS) -- The Navy Education and Training Command (NETC) and Navy Personnel Command (NPC) have released a new suicide prevention video to help Sailors recognize when one of their peers is a suicide risk and how to make the right decisions when dealing with their problems.
NETC wants to provide all hands the opportunity to see this new video because they know some Sailors can become potential suicide risks when they face many different problems and don't always know where to turn to get help.
"Some people could be overwhelmed or depressed with what seem to be insurmountable problems, but will not seek help due to pride, embarrassment, or feelings of frustration by not being able to control their circumstances," said NETC Commander Vice Adm. Alfred G. Harms Jr. "Too often, problems that could have been easily solved with a bit of help, guidance or encouragement, spiral out of control and lead to behavioral difficulties, substance abuse, domestic violence and even suicide. This new video, called 'Making the Critical Decision,' addresses many of these challenges.
“We know that suicide can affect young and old, officer, enlisted and civilian,” said Harms. “The overarching lesson is that shipmates need to take all suicide threats seriously and to intervene proactively when warning signs appear.”
Cmdr. Kevin Kennedy is the Behavior Health Officer at NPC and is in charge of the Suicide Prevention Program for the U.S. Navy. “This video differs from others on a very important matter,” said Kennedy. “It is our first video that includes a scenario on threatened suicide by a family member. It talks about how getting immediate assistance is just as important when there is a problem close to home with a dependent, as well as with a fellow Sailor.”
According to Kennedy, one of the teaching points in the video is the use of the acronym “AID LIFE” as a tool to help in responding appropriately to suicide warning signs. The responses are:
A- Ask the person if they're thinking about suicide
I- Intervene immediately
D- Don't keep it a secret
L- Locate help
I- Inform your chain of command
F- Find someone, don't leave the person alone
E- Expedite, get help right away
“The video also deals with murder-suicide,” said Kennedy “This occurs when a person commits murder, and then commits suicide. Usually both are planned events. In the Navy, we have about one to two murder-suicides a year.”
How does the Navy fair with the civilian community on murder suicide? According to Kennedy, on a national level murder-suicide occurs at a rate of 0.2 per 100,000 suicides. “Unfortunately, the Navy is pretty much the same as the civilian community,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy says that there are many triggers that set a person down the road to suicide. “The root cause of suicide is an underlying mental health problem, such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse problems. When we see relationship problems or other difficulties, these are really triggers for suicide among those who have psychological problems that predispose them to be a risk for suicide.”
“Not everyone who has relationship problems thinks of suicide,” said Kennedy. “However, those people who have significant psychological difficulties might think about suicide when there is a relationship problem. The key is getting Sailors medical assistance when there is a risk, so that those underlying psychological problems can be addressed. That is the focus of the AID LIFE acronym.”
The new suicide prevention General Military Training material and ‘Making the Critical Decision’ video are available through command training offices, local Fleet and Family Support Centers or it may be ordered by email: gmt.distribution@cnet.navy.mil. For more information about the ‘Making the Critical Decision’ video, contact Kennedy at (901) 874-4256 or email: p601b@persnet.navy.mil.
For more information about Navy training, visit the NETC Web site at https://www.cnet.navy.mil.
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