We are First Responders!We are First Responders!Suicide PreventionSuicide Prevention

People Prevent Suicide!People Prevent Suicide!

Shipmates & friends are the first to notice Shipmates & friends are the first to notice and know when someone is distressed, and know when someone is distressed, struggling, experiencing hard times…struggling, experiencing hard times…

We can be the We can be the First ResponderFirst Responder and help our and help our friends get the help they need! friends get the help they need!

We can save lives!We can save lives!

First RespondersFirst Responders

Can spot the Warning Signs of SuicideCan spot the Warning Signs of Suicide Know what to do!Know what to do! Connect the person to help!Connect the person to help!

Suicide Warning SignsSuicide Warning Signs

Talk of Suicide – threats, hints, notes, and Talk of Suicide – threats, hints, notes, and expressionsexpressions

Sees no reason for livingSees no reason for living Increased alcohol and substance useIncreased alcohol and substance use Feels anxious, agitated, or unable to sleepFeels anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep Feels trapped, no way out…Feels trapped, no way out…

Red Flags for SuicideRed Flags for Suicide

Feels hopeless about the futureFeels hopeless about the future Withdraws from others and normal Withdraws from others and normal

activitiesactivities Mood changes…Mood changes… Feeling rage, uncontrolled angerFeeling rage, uncontrolled anger Acting without regard for consequencesActing without regard for consequences

What to do?What to do?

ASKASK -Are you thinking about killing yourself?-Are you thinking about killing yourself? -Sometimes when people feel down, they -Sometimes when people feel down, they

have thoughts of suicide. Have you had have thoughts of suicide. Have you had such thoughts?such thoughts?

-Are you considering suicide?-Are you considering suicide?

Ask---Care---TreatAsk---Care---Treat

What to do - CareWhat to do - Care

CARECARE -Listen-Listen -Show them that you are concerned and -Show them that you are concerned and

carecare -Care about and understand what is -Care about and understand what is

troubling them.. Discuss with themtroubling them.. Discuss with them

What to Do - TreatWhat to Do - Treat

TREATTREAT

-Get immediate Professional assistance!-Get immediate Professional assistance!

-Take them to the Emergency -Take them to the Emergency Room/DepartmentRoom/Department

-Escort them to command, medical, chaplain-Escort them to command, medical, chaplain

-Do not leave your shipmate alone!-Do not leave your shipmate alone!

What Not to Do!What Not to Do!

Do not keep it a secret!Do not keep it a secret! Do not sidestep the issuesDo not sidestep the issues Do not leave the person alone!Do not leave the person alone! Do not offer simple solutionsDo not offer simple solutions Do not judge the person or tell Do not judge the person or tell

them that they will go to hellthem that they will go to hell Do not try to be a therapistDo not try to be a therapist

Common SituationsCommon Situations

A shipmate gets a Dear John letter/call…A shipmate gets a Dear John letter/call… A co-worker no longer wants to hang out A co-worker no longer wants to hang out

with anyone, is staying to themselves, is with anyone, is staying to themselves, is not eating and not talking with anyone…not eating and not talking with anyone…

Someone in your department is Someone in your department is

in trouble, is quite moody, in trouble, is quite moody,

is performing poorly at work,is performing poorly at work,

and has $ problems… and has $ problems…

Care for Yourself!Care for Yourself!

You are not alone! There are You are not alone! There are others in the command, ship, others in the command, ship, base and community who can help!base and community who can help! It is normal to feel uneasy and It is normal to feel uneasy and unsure when trying to help someoneunsure when trying to help someone in distress…in distress… Talk to supportive others before and Talk to supportive others before and

afterwards…afterwards… You do not have to know all the You do not have to know all the answers or to be an expert!answers or to be an expert!

ResourcesResources

Naval Hospital and Medical ClinicNaval Hospital and Medical Clinic Mental Health DepartmentMental Health Department Fleet Family Support CentersFleet Family Support Centers ChaplainsChaplains Marine Corps Community Counseling Marine Corps Community Counseling

CentersCenters 911911