NBK Hosts Personal Readiness Summit

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chris Brown, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest

SILVERDALE, Wash. (NNS) -- More than 100 senior enlisted and junior officers attended a personal readiness summit at Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) Bangor plaza ballroom, Sept. 24-25.

The personal readiness summit featured presentations on drug and alcohol, behavioral health, physical readiness program and suicide prevention.

"The bottom line on why we do this summit is to equip us better to help our Sailors," said NBK Executive Officer Cmdr. C.J. Carter. "Helping our Sailors is the key to preventing bad things that happen to them."

With September being suicide prevention month, the summit brought in guest speaker Kevin Hines to speak with the attendees on how to spot symptoms of suicidal behavior and how to help someone in need.

Hines is just one of 33 people to survive a suicide attempt from jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, and it was important to him to share his story to the attendees.

"It's important for any group, especially in the military, to hear a story of triumph over adversity, a story of success over pain, and that's what I hope to share today," said Hines. "With the growing number of suicides it's important we do everything we can to reduce that trend."

Speaking to the senior enlisted attendees, Hines wanted to point out that suicidal thoughts and depression can happen to anyone at anytime and it is important for the people who are in charge to be able to recognize the people at danger and get them the help they need.

"It's important to help these young enlisted Sailors and guide them to hope," said Hines. "Just because you are having a hard time now, doesn't mean you always will."

During the presentation Hines helped point out symptoms of suicidal thoughts, how to help the individuals and shared some of his own techniques that help him out when he is feeling depressed.

"It's important for the senior enlisted to get another perspective such as the one Mr. Hines provided with us today," said Chief Fire Control Technical Christopher Howard, attached to USS Michigan Blue crew. "We have to be able to pick up on the little things that will be able to help our Sailors out."