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YOKOSUKA, Japan – Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) is joining installations worldwide this September to observe Suicide Prevention Month, emphasizing this year’s Department of War theme, "Joining Your Fight: Connect to Protect." The monthlong campaign focuses on eliminating the stigma of seeking help, reinforcing trust across the command and highlighting the support networks available across the Yokosuka waterfront.
“There is no wrong door at CFAY,” said Capt. Jonathan Hopkins, commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka. “If someone comes to anyone on our team for help, that teammate may not be the right individual to help, but they will make sure that Sailor or family member gets to the right person. Finding ways to support our warfighters and families and strengthen their resiliency is something I encourage our team to work at every day.”
Living and serving overseas in forward-deployed environments presents unique stressors for Sailors, civilian employees and their families. Command leadership emphasizes that building a culture of psychological fitness is an "all hands" effort essential to maintaining both personal well-being and mission readiness.
"Fostering an environment built on mutual trust and open communication is our primary line of defense," said Lt. Cmdr. Allison Conforte, installation director of psychological health, U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Yokosuka. "In an overseas assignment, your shipmates become your primary family. We want every individual on this installation to know that raising your hand for support is a sign of profound strength, not weakness. Our mission is to ensure nobody walks through their challenges alone."
CFAY personnel have access to a range of local mental health, counseling and resiliency programs. The USNH Yokosuka Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program (SARP) provides comprehensive, stigma-free outpatient care and evaluations in Building E-22. The CFAY Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) offers confidential, non-medical virtual and in-person clinical counseling services to help families navigate the challenges of military transitions, deployment stress, and relationship dynamics.
"Mental fitness directly drives mission readiness," Conforte added. "We have worked hard to lower barriers to care. Whether it is utilizing evidence-based treatment at one of ourembedded or hospital mental health clinicsor proactively using tools like the Headspace application – which is currently free for all active-duty Sailorsand up to five loved onesat Yokosuka – preventative care is within immediate reach."
Beyond clinical assets, community connections serve as vital protective factors. The CFAY Command Chaplain’s Office remains available 24/7 to provide confidential spiritual support and counseling to personnel of all faiths or no faith. If you or a shipmate is experiencing emotional distress or a mental health crisis, immediate help is available. Personnel can contact the Veterans/Military Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net. At Yokosuka, crisis support is also available by call or text at 844-702-5493 or DSN 988.
The USNH Yokosuka emergency room is also available for those with imminent safety risk to self or others. Specific Local Resources and Contact Information: · USNH Yokosuka Mental Health / SARP: Building E-22\, second deck. DSN: 243-5489 | Commercial: 046-816-5489. · CFAY Mental Health Resources: https://cnrj.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/CFA-Yokosuka/ · CFAY Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC): Non-medical counseling and resiliency guides. · CFAY Command Chaplain: 24/7 confidential counseling and listening. · Headspace for Navy: Free enrollment via work.headspace.com/usnavy/join.
| Date Taken: | 08.25.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.26.2026 22:23 |
| Story ID: | 573221 |
| Location: | YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, JP |
| Web Views: | 30 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, CFAY Observes Suicide Prevention Month: Strengthening Community Resilience, by PO1 James Mitchell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
