Office of Work-Life Programs -
Suicide Prevention Program
Emergency suicide crisis services may also be accessed
24 hours a day, seven days a week via the
CG SUPRT Program toll free number 855-CGSUPRT (247-8778).
|
Who is Eligible for this Program?
This Program applies to all Coast Guard active duty and reserve
personnel and appropriated civilian and non-appropriated fund employees and
their families. It also applies to other Uniformed Services members and
their families while either serving with the Coast Guard or using Coast
Guard facilities.
Purpose of Program
To provide policy and procedures, and assign
responsibilities for the Coast Guard’s Suicide Prevention Program. Each of
us in the Coast Guard must make it our individual responsibility to become
aware of the warning signs and circumstances that are often associated with
suicidal behavior [see enclosures (3) and (4) in Suicide Prevention Program, Commandant Instruction 1734.1A].
If you know of a friend, loved-one, co-worker, or family member who is
exhibiting suicidal communications or behaviors, bring it to the attention
of someone who can help. Don’t keep it a secret. If the
person is on active duty, informing the person’s chain of command is
essential, particularly if the person is unwilling or unable to obtain help
on his/her own.
Program
Confidentiality
Information about suicidal communications and/or behaviors is
not considered confidential. In fact we in the Coast Guard have an
obligation to share such information with others to ensure help is provided
to any person who has attempted or is known to be contemplating suicide.
Medical care and mental health providers who believe that a patient has
intentions to harm self and/or others are obligated to take appropriate
action to protect the patient and/or others.
Definitions
See Enclosure (1) of Suicide Prevention Program, Commandant Instruction 1734.1A
for definitions that apply to the Suicide Prevention Program.
Services and Resources Available
The following services and resources are available within
the Suicide Prevention Program:
Emergency services
The Coast Guard's CGSUPRT Program is available
24/7 to assist with mental health emergencies. Their toll free
number (855)-CGSUPRT (247-8778).
If on-site assistance is needed, call 911. |
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to
anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial
1-800-273-TALK (8255). |
Program References
The following reference provide details of the Suicide
Prevention Program:
Related Hotlines and Web Sites
The following hotlines and web sites provide information related to the Suicide
Prevention Program:
- Air Force Suicide
Prevention Program - Provides extensive tools and resources
including the Air Force’s excellent Leader’s Guide for Managing Personnel
in Distress. To access the Guide click on “Products.”
-
American Association of Suicidology (AAS) - This organization is
dedicated to the understanding and prevention of suicide. It promotes
research, public awareness programs, public education and training for
professionals and volunteers. AAS serves as a national clearinghouse for
information on suicide.
- Army
Study To Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers
(STARRS) - Army STARRS is the largest study of mental health risk and
resilience ever conducted among military personnel. This site already
has many resources and links worth exploring and promises to add more
over the 5-year span of this important study.
-
Army
Suicide Prevention - Website provides excellent resources
including a Commander’s Toolkit and outstanding videos.
-
Boys Town National Hotline - This is an accredited 24/7 crisis,
resource and referral line that is staffed by trained counselors
specialized in helping teens and parents deal with problems, e.g.,
suicidal behavior, depression, relationships, chemical dependency,
physical abuse, etc. Call 1-800-448-3000 to speak with a counselor or send
an email. TTY line: 800-448-1833.
-
Centers for Disease Control - This well-indexed federal website
provides extensive information on the subject of violence and suicide
prevention.
- Coast Guard Employee
Assistance Program (EAP) - The EAP is designed to provide a
confidential professional assessment and short term counseling, including
phone counseling, and referral services to help all Coast Guard employees
with their personal, job or family problems. The program also provides
financial, legal and supervisory consultations. Counseling services are
available 24/7. Emergency face-to-face sessions are also available. Call
1-800-222-0364.
-
Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological
Health and Brain Injury - DCoE’s mission: assesses, validates, oversees
and facilitates prevention, resilience, identification, treatment,
outreach, rehabilitation, and reintegration programs for psychological
health and traumatic brain injury to ensure the Department of Defense
meets the needs of the nation's military communities, warriors and
families. This site has many
helpful links related to assisting persons impacted by critical
incidents.
- DoD / VA
Suicide Outreach Resources for Suicide Prevention -
A joint DoD/VA website that provides helpful just-in-time information
and links related to suicide prevention in both military and veteran
populations. A great resource for suicide prevention educators.
- Gift From Within - An international nonprofit organization
for survivors of trauma and victimization that provides helpful
resources for both therapists and those seeking to help themselves
recover from traumatic events. Name of organization comes from a quote
attributed to Franz Kafka: Anything that has real and lasting value is
always a gift from within.
-
InTransition - This is new DoD program for all
military members including members of the Coast Guard. It provides
service members currently receiving mental health treatment a bridge of
support between health care providers should they transfer to a new
location or separate from active service. The program may be accessed by
service members or referring mental health providers by calling
toll-free 1-800-424-7877 (continental United States including Alaska and
Hawaii); 1-800-424-4685 (outside the United States). Individuals outside
the US may also call collect 1-314-387-4700.
- Living Works
- This organization is the creator of the Applied Suicide Intervention
Skills Program used by the Coast Guard.
-
MilitaryHomeFront - A DoD-sponsored website that provides info on
services available at DoD facilities throughout the world. Includes useful
links including the Coast Guard-applicable DOD's Survivors' Guide to
Benefits which is revised twice a year. Note: most services listed as
available through MilitaryOneSource are not available to Coast Guard
personnel. Comparable services are available through the Coast Guard Employee Assistance Program.
-
Military Suicide Prevention Conference
- This annual conference is sponsored by DoD and the Veterans
Administration.
- National
Hopeline Network - Provides 24/7 crisis counseling for those who
are thinking of suicide and for those worried that someone may commit
suicide. Callers are connected to the nearest certified crisis counseling
center. Individuals seeking help can call 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433).
- The
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Sponsored by the Department
of Health and Human Service’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration’s Center for Mental Health Services, this national hotline
24/7 suicide prevention service is available to all those in suicidal
crisis who are seeking help. Individuals seeking
help can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Callers are routed to the
closest possible provider of mental health and suicide prevention
services. Active duty and veterans should identify themselves as such so
that additional services can be provided as needed. However, no
identifying information is required from callers. The site contains a
special section for veterans.
- Navy Leader's Guide for Managing Personnel in Distress - This
well-organized website provides guidance to leaders at all levels in
recognizing distress related behaviors and what to do to help.
- The QPR
Institute - This website is dedicated to excellence in prevention
education. Includes an excellent and free downloadable book for those who
are considering suicide. Click on "Suicide - The Forever Decision Free
Download."
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMSHA)
-
This Department of Health and Human Services website offers plenty of
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention-related resources including
separate pages on
Disaster Response, the
National Center for Trauma-Informed Care, and
Suicide Prevention.
- The Suicide
Prevention Action Network USA - This well-established non-profit
organization is dedicated to preventing suicide through public education
and awareness, community action and federal, state and local grassroots
advocacy. The organization was founded by survivors for survivors - to
transform grief into positive action to prevent future tragedies.
- Suicide Prevention
Resource Center (SPRC) - This government-sponsored website
provides prevention support, training, and resources to assist
organizations and individuals to develop suicide prevention programs,
interventions and policies, and to advance the National Strategy for
Suicide Prevention. Site also provides an opportunity to subscribe to
the
Spark, a weekly e-newsletter containing related announcements, news
stories, and links.
- Tragedy
Assistance Program for Survivors - The mission of the Tragedy
Assistance Program for Survivors is to provide comfort and support to ALL
who are grieving the loss of a loved one in military service. The program
reaches out to anyone, regardless of relationship, circumstance or
geographic location of the casualty.
-
“Veterans Chat” - An online, one-on-one
“chat-service” for veterans. It enables veterans, their families, and
friends to communicate anonymously with a trained VA counselor. This
service is available 24/7.
Point of Contact
The Employee Assistance Program Coordinator (EAPC) within HSWL can assist
with Suicide Prevention training and other program information. Click here
to find the number of you EAPC-
Regional Work-Life Staff,
If you need additional non-emergency assistance, please contact the
Headquarters EAP Manager, Ms Lisa Teems
CG-1112, at (202) 475-5157, Fax: (202) 475-5907 or email at
Lisa.A.Teems@uscg.mil.