Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Luke Cunningham | 200924-N-LW757-1001 SAN DIEGO (Sept. 24, 2020) A Naval Medical Center San Diego...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO – A career in the Navy can be stressful. Between dangerous work environments and separation from loved ones, Sailors face a unique set of challenges that many of Americans will never experience. The unfortunate reality is that life’s stressors may seem to be too much to handle for some, and suicide continues to exist within the military.
During the month of September, Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD), along with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) observes Suicide Prevention Awareness Month to increase the understanding, as well as reduce the stigma of suicide.
According to the Department of Defense (DOD), 541 service members lost their lives to suicide in 2018, and the VA reported over 6,000 veteran deaths caused by suicide in 2017.
There is no single cause of suicide. It usually occurs when the stresses of life and health issues come together to become overwhelming.
Mood changes, depression, anxiety, irritability, showing severe or overwhelming pain or distress, using drugs or alcohol and searching for ways to end their life are signs to recognize if a person is at risk of suicide.
Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Taffarol Wedderburn, leading petty officer for NMCSD’s Directorate of Mental Health, said that when you're around someone and work with them every day, you're the best person to notice a change in behavior.
As brothers and sisters in arms, Sailors shouldn't rely on fellow shipmates to reach out for help themselves. Everyone has a responsibility to prevent others from committing suicide.
"Not everyone may be mental health professionals and able to provide treatment, but we can identify the signs," said Wedderburn. "Once we have identified a problem, we can direct that individual somewhere where they can receive better guidance."
The Navy offers many outlets for Sailors to receive the help they need to prevent them from resorting to suicide.
NMCSD's Directorate for Mental Health, Emergency Department, Navy chaplains, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Mental Health Operational Outreach Division are a few resources that service members can utilize to receive help.
According to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, evidence shows that providing support services, talking about suicide, reducing access to means of self-harm and following up with loved ones are some of the actions everyone can take to help others.
Wedderburn encourages anyone experiencing stressing to seek help. He said stressors are temporary, but suicide is permanent.
Everyone can take part in preventing suicide. Sometimes a small gesture, getting out of your comfort zone or simply asking a question could save a life.
NMCSD’s mission is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high quality healthcare services and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research. NMCSD employs more than 6,000 active duty military personnel, civilians and contractors in Southern California to provide patients with world-class care anytime, anywhere.
Visit navy.mil or facebook.com/NMCSD for more information.
| Date Taken: | 09.16.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 09.24.2020 15:00 |
| Story ID: | 378369 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,071 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Observed at NMCSD, by PO2 Luke Cunningham, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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