NAS PENSACOLA, Fla.— Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola’s Religious Ministries Department provided suicide prevention training to Sailors throughout August 2026, helping the command strengthen awareness, intervention skills and connections to support resources.
Developed by LivingWorks, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and safeTALK are suicide prevention programs that can be applied in military settings to help personnel recognize warning signs, engage in supportive conversations and connect those at risk with appropriate care. safeTALK focuses on suicide alertness, while ASIST provides more in-depth intervention training for leaders and others likely to respond directly to a person in crisis.
““It’s rewarding to be a part of teaching others to not just save lives, but to be a resource, and to get resources used in helping prevent death by suicide,” said Lt. Latoya Credit, staff chaplain with Naval Air Station Pensacola’s Religious Ministries Department and co-facilitator for ASIST. “Senior personnel have likely already dealt with situations like the ones discussed in the course. ASIST helps expand their toolbox and smooth out any rough edges.”
The department trained more than 100 Sailors during the month as part of a Commander, Navy Installations Command initiative to train installation personnel. E-5 Sailors attended safeTALK, while E-6 through E-9 Sailors completed Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, or ASIST.
“I have full confidence in the material, and trust the facilitation style,” said Religious Program Specialist 1st Class David Wingfield, Religious Ministries Department leading petty officer and co-facilitator for ASIST. “ASIST allows for leaders to facilitate and foster suicide-safe commands.”
Wingfield explained that a suicide-safe command is one that allows open communication about mental health, meets service members where they are on each of their mental health journeys and provides a sound framework for suicide prevention. Both ASIST and safeTALK use LivingWorks’ Pathway for Assisting Life or PAL three-phase model for response.
“I think the enlisted leadership team received a solid model and refresher in dealing with suicidal behavior,” Wingfield said. “I am confident in the PAL model’s application.”
Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Almira Gangapersad, Religious Ministries Department’s assistant leading petty officer, facilitated safeTALK for all the E-5 personnel assigned to NAS Pensacola.
“SafeTALK is about suicide alertness,” said Gangapersad. “It’s learning to see the signs, talk to Sailors, observe their actions and conversations, and if someone is having suicidal ideations, get them to a suicide prevention resource, such as a chaplain or medical.”
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, allowing service members and civilians to share resources, spread awareness and provide training on suicide prevention.
Founded in 1826, Naval Air Station Pensacola, known as the “Cradle of Naval Aviation,” supports operational and training missions for several tenant commands, Naval Air Technical Training Center, Naval Aviation Schools Command and Center for Technical Training. The installation also hosts Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 and Marine Aviation Training Support Group 23 and serves as the headquarters for Naval Education and Training Command. In addition to an active airfield, NAS Pensacola maintains a deepwater port supporting operations for the U.S. Coast Guard.
| Date Taken: |
08.31.2026 |
| Date Posted: |
09.03.2026 10:24 |
| Story ID: |
573881 |
| Location: |
NAS PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: |
18 |
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This work, NAS Pensacola Religious Ministries Department provides suicide prevention training to Sailors, by CPO Ian Cotter, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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