NMCB 3 Helps Ventura County ‘Walk Out of Darkness’

Courtesy Photo | From left, Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Maria Escamilla, Equipment Operator 2nd Class Jennifer Harris, and Equipment Operator 2nd Class Renee Harrison, all Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3, hold hands and sing along with hundreds of individuals during the finale of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) Out of the Darkness community walk. The walk is used to raise funds and awareness for the prevention of suicide in hundreds of communities nation-wide. The Naval Construction Force is a vital component of the U.S. Maritime Strategy. The force provides deployable battalions capable of providing disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance and combat operations support. (U.S. Navy photo by Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Zachary Miller/RELEASED.)  

CAMARILLO, CA, UNITED STATES

09.20.2014

Courtesy Story

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3

CAMARILLO, Calif. - Sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (ASFP), the annual nation-wide event helps raise funds and awareness to prevent future suicides.

According to NMCB 3’s Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) President Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Maria Escamilla, the optimistic event allowed those affected by suicide to come together, heal and help support a life-saving cause.

“Not only does the walk bring families who have lost someone together to support one another, it also raises money to promote awareness,” said Escamilla. “I hope people take the information here and apply it to their personal lives, notice the signs and help someone suffering.”

Every 13.3 minutes, someone dies from suicide with an attempt made every minute of every day – a fact promoted on the AFSP.org Web site.

In the military, this message is taken as a call to help strengthen trust and meaningful connections between peers through the Navy’s “Every Sailor, Every Day” campaign. The campaign offers webinars and special training to command leadership, chaplains and individual members to help support resilience and regards seeking help as a sign of strength. Training also includes open communication, individual responsibility and bystander intervention.

For more information, visit www.suicide.navy.mil or www.afsp.org.

The Naval Construction Force is a vital component of the U.S. Maritime Strategy. The force provides deployable battalions capable of providing disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance and combat operations support.

• Date Taken: 09.20.2014
• Date Posted: 09.24.2014 11:12
• Story ID: 143110
• Location: CAMARILLO, CA, US