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In 2020, the Department of Defense (DoD) recorded its highest number of suicides in over two decades. More than 580 service members committed suicide; 151 of which were Navy and Marine Corps personnel.
Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN69) who are struggling with suicidal thoughts, ideations or depression, can reach out to IKE’s chaplains as a resource for support.
“We work hand in hand with the other resources offered for mental health,” said Lt. Cmdr. David Nelson, IKE’s principal assistant chaplain. “We can be a primary resource, or the gate to speaking with Talk Boss and getting further mental health help.”
Not only do chaplains offer religious or faith-based counseling, but they are available for Sailors to talk about anything.
“When you speak with a chaplain, you have absolute confidentiality,” said Nelson. “This means that no matter what you tell us, that stays with us.”
For some Sailors, concern about the confidentiality of their discussions with their mental health providers can create a barrier. Sailors may worry that a provider will share their information with their command, which could potentially impact their career. Sailor confidentiality is protected by the Rule 503 of Military Rules of Evidence, which states that as long as a chaplain is serving in the capacity as a spiritual advisor, everything remains confidential.
Nelson urges Sailors that are not comfortable reaching out to a Chaplain to reach out to someone they trust.
“It is nice to know that the Chaplains are a resource we can use,” said Interior Communications Specialist 3rd Class Autumn Horton. “When I think about mental health resources, I like that meeting with a Chaplain means I don’t have to worry about whether or not what I say will be kept confidential because I know it always will be.”
The help doesn’t stop when Sailors go ashore, other resources include the Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), the Veteran’s Crisis Line (1-800-273-TALK, or text 838255), Navy Chaplain Care and Military One Source (1-800-342-9647). All of these resources have people trained in dealing with these kinds of situations and conditions.
| Date Taken: | 07.18.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 03.12.2023 16:02 |
| Story ID: | 438793 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Hometown: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 156 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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