Suicide Prevention Awareness Proclamation Signed

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Greg Johnson, Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- The commander of Navy Region Southeast (NRSE), signed a suicide prevention awareness proclamation on board Naval Air Station Jacksonville Sept. 5.

Rear Adm. John C. Scorby Jr. signed the proclamation which recognizes September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and is intended to raise suicide awareness prevention throughout the Southeast Region.

"This proclamation brings to light an issue of paramount importance in our military today," Scorby said. Each year, we lose shipmates, co-workers and family members to suicide and these losses can be prevented. It is our collective responsibility to remain alert to the warning signs and to be prepared to take action with those in our lives who might be at risk. An actively engaged force, including everyone in the Navy family, is key to the successful prevention of suicide."

The proclamation emphasizes the Navy's "Act, Care, Treat" (ACT) training tool, which is designed to raise awareness of suicide warning signs and encourages people to intervene with those at risk. According to Dianne Parker, NRSE assistant suicide prevention outreach coordinator, knowing the warning signs of suicide and being proactive is particularly important when it comes to Department of Defense (DoD) personnel.

"Suicide is a major issue right now throughout the DoD," she said. "Our goal is to reduce the number of these tragedies through education and awareness campaigns, and we hope this proclamation will go a long way in those efforts."

Raising leadership awareness about the issue has been a key theme in DoD efforts to lower suicide statistics. In a May 10 memorandum to DoD personnel, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta wrote, "Leaders throughout the chain of command must actively promote a constructive command climate that fosters cohesion and encourages individuals to reach out for help when needed."

According to Parker, suicide prevention efforts within the Southeast Region are in line with that statement. In September 2011, the region implemented an aggressive suicide prevention coordinator training program that utilizes Defense Connect Online. So far, it has resulted in more than 200 newly-qualified coordinators throughout the region and more than 1,000 worldwide.

"The program has been instrumental in raising awareness and getting the message out to leaders throughout the DoD. Leaders need to make Sailors understand that there is no shame in reaching out for help," she said.

Each year, hundreds of DoD personnel commit suicide and many of these cases could be prevented if friends and co-workers only knew what to look for and took action, Parker said.

"The bottom line is if you suspect that someone may be thinking about suicide, you need to act, care and treat," she said. "The key is to take action. The worst thing that you can possibly do is nothing."