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Office of Work-Life Programs -
Suicide Prevention Program
Emergency suicide crisis services may also be accessed
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Who is Eligible for this Program?
This Program applies to all Coast Guard active duty and reserve
personnel and appropriated civilian and non-appropriated fund employees and
their families. It also applies to other Uniformed Services members and
their families while either serving with the Coast Guard or using Coast
Guard facilities.
Purpose of Program
To provide policy and procedures, and assign
responsibilities for the Coast Guard’s Suicide Prevention Program. Each of
us in the Coast Guard must make it our individual responsibility to become
aware of the warning signs and circumstances that are often associated with
suicidal behavior [see enclosures (3) and (4) in Suicide Prevention Program, Commandant Instruction 1734.1A].
If you know of a friend, loved-one, co-worker, or family member who is
exhibiting suicidal communications or behaviors, bring it to the attention
of someone who can help. Don’t keep it a secret. If the
person is on active duty, informing the person’s chain of command is
essential, particularly if the person is unwilling or unable to obtain help
on his/her own.
Program
Confidentiality
Information about suicidal communications and/or behaviors is
not considered confidential. In fact we in the Coast Guard have an
obligation to share such information with others to ensure help is provided
to any person who has attempted or is known to be contemplating suicide.
Medical care and mental health providers who believe that a patient has
intentions to harm self and/or others are obligated to take appropriate
action to protect the patient and/or others.
Definitions
See Enclosure (1) of Suicide Prevention Program, Commandant Instruction 1734.1A
for definitions that apply to the Suicide Prevention Program.
Services and Resources Available
The following services and resources are available within
the Suicide Prevention Program:
- Coast Guard Chaplains - (855) 872-4242
- Coast Guard Medical Clinics - In addition to military personnel, CG Clinics may serve dependents at some locations if space is available.
- Coast Guard National Command Center - If you need the assistance of a Coast Guard command in an emergency, the National Command Center can assist in identifying needed contact information. Call 1-800-DAD-SAFE (323-7233).
- CG SUPRT (Employee Assistance Program ) - 1-855-CGSUPRT (247-8778) Web (for EAP): www.CGSUPRT.com
- Coast Guard Regional Health, Safety, and Work-Life (HSWL) Field Offices
- Military Treatment Facility (MTF) Locator (Note: only those MTFs serving both active duty and dependents are included.)
- Reminding Loved Ones
- Shoulder to Shoulder: "I Will Never Quit on Life" Video - An excellent Army-produced 16-minute video using real soldiers and personal experiences. Appropriate for all audiences, including Coast Guard members and civilian employees at all levels. Click here for a downloadable MPEG Military Member version (16 minutes) and Click here for a downloadable MPEG Civilian Employee version. It’s the same video with the addition of 5 minutes devoted to situations involving civilian employees (21 minutes).
- TRICARE Mental Health/Behavioral Health Care
- Training - face-to-face all hands mandated training is available from HSWL FOs and online at https://elearning.uscg.mil/.
Emergency services
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The Coast Guard's CGSUPRT Program is available
24/7 to assist with mental health emergencies. Their toll free
number (855)-CGSUPRT (247-8778). If on-site assistance is needed, call 911. |
| The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). |
Program References
The following reference provide details of the Suicide
Prevention Program:
- Suicide Prevention Program, Commandant Instruction 1734.1A
Related Hotlines and Web Sites
The following hotlines and web sites provide information related to the Suicide
Prevention Program:
- Air Force Suicide Prevention Program - Provides extensive tools and resources including the Air Force’s excellent Leader’s Guide for Managing Personnel in Distress. To access the Guide click on “Products.”
- American Association of Suicidology (AAS) - This organization is dedicated to the understanding and prevention of suicide. It promotes research, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. AAS serves as a national clearinghouse for information on suicide.
- Army Study To Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (STARRS) - Army STARRS is the largest study of mental health risk and resilience ever conducted among military personnel. This site already has many resources and links worth exploring and promises to add more over the 5-year span of this important study.
- Army Suicide Prevention - Website provides excellent resources including a Commander’s Toolkit and outstanding videos.
- Boys Town National Hotline - This is an accredited 24/7 crisis, resource and referral line that is staffed by trained counselors specialized in helping teens and parents deal with problems, e.g., suicidal behavior, depression, relationships, chemical dependency, physical abuse, etc. Call 1-800-448-3000 to speak with a counselor or send an email. TTY line: 800-448-1833.
- Centers for Disease Control - This well-indexed federal website provides extensive information on the subject of violence and suicide prevention.
- Coast Guard Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - The EAP is designed to provide a confidential professional assessment and short term counseling, including phone counseling, and referral services to help all Coast Guard employees with their personal, job or family problems. The program also provides financial, legal and supervisory consultations. Counseling services are available 24/7. Emergency face-to-face sessions are also available. Call 1-800-222-0364.
- Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health and Brain Injury - DCoE’s mission: assesses, validates, oversees and facilitates prevention, resilience, identification, treatment, outreach, rehabilitation, and reintegration programs for psychological health and traumatic brain injury to ensure the Department of Defense meets the needs of the nation's military communities, warriors and families. This site has many helpful links related to assisting persons impacted by critical incidents.
- DoD / VA Suicide Outreach Resources for Suicide Prevention - A joint DoD/VA website that provides helpful just-in-time information and links related to suicide prevention in both military and veteran populations. A great resource for suicide prevention educators.
- Gift From Within - An international nonprofit organization for survivors of trauma and victimization that provides helpful resources for both therapists and those seeking to help themselves recover from traumatic events. Name of organization comes from a quote attributed to Franz Kafka: Anything that has real and lasting value is always a gift from within.
- InTransition - This is new DoD program for all military members including members of the Coast Guard. It provides service members currently receiving mental health treatment a bridge of support between health care providers should they transfer to a new location or separate from active service. The program may be accessed by service members or referring mental health providers by calling toll-free 1-800-424-7877 (continental United States including Alaska and Hawaii); 1-800-424-4685 (outside the United States). Individuals outside the US may also call collect 1-314-387-4700.
- Living Works - This organization is the creator of the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Program used by the Coast Guard.
- MilitaryHomeFront - A DoD-sponsored website that provides info on services available at DoD facilities throughout the world. Includes useful links including the Coast Guard-applicable DOD's Survivors' Guide to Benefits which is revised twice a year. Note: most services listed as available through MilitaryOneSource are not available to Coast Guard personnel. Comparable services are available through the Coast Guard Employee Assistance Program.
- Military Suicide Prevention Conference - This annual conference is sponsored by DoD and the Veterans Administration.
- National Hopeline Network - Provides 24/7 crisis counseling for those who are thinking of suicide and for those worried that someone may commit suicide. Callers are connected to the nearest certified crisis counseling center. Individuals seeking help can call 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433).
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Service’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Mental Health Services, this national hotline 24/7 suicide prevention service is available to all those in suicidal crisis who are seeking help. Individuals seeking help can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Callers are routed to the closest possible provider of mental health and suicide prevention services. Active duty and veterans should identify themselves as such so that additional services can be provided as needed. However, no identifying information is required from callers. The site contains a special section for veterans.
- Navy Leader's Guide for Managing Personnel in Distress - This well-organized website provides guidance to leaders at all levels in recognizing distress related behaviors and what to do to help.
- The QPR Institute - This website is dedicated to excellence in prevention education. Includes an excellent and free downloadable book for those who are considering suicide. Click on "Suicide - The Forever Decision Free Download."
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) - This Department of Health and Human Services website offers plenty of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention-related resources including separate pages on Disaster Response, the National Center for Trauma-Informed Care, and Suicide Prevention.
- The Suicide Prevention Action Network USA - This well-established non-profit organization is dedicated to preventing suicide through public education and awareness, community action and federal, state and local grassroots advocacy. The organization was founded by survivors for survivors - to transform grief into positive action to prevent future tragedies.
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) - This government-sponsored website provides prevention support, training, and resources to assist organizations and individuals to develop suicide prevention programs, interventions and policies, and to advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. Site also provides an opportunity to subscribe to the Spark, a weekly e-newsletter containing related announcements, news stories, and links.
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors - The mission of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors is to provide comfort and support to ALL who are grieving the loss of a loved one in military service. The program reaches out to anyone, regardless of relationship, circumstance or geographic location of the casualty.
- “Veterans Chat” - An online, one-on-one “chat-service” for veterans. It enables veterans, their families, and friends to communicate anonymously with a trained VA counselor. This service is available 24/7.
Point of Contact
The Employee Assistance Program Coordinator (EAPC) within HSWL can assist
with Suicide Prevention training and other program information. Click here
to find the number of you EAPC-
Regional Work-Life Staff,
If you need additional non-emergency assistance, please contact the Headquarters EAP Manager, Ms Lisa Teems CG-1112, at (202) 475-5157, Fax: (202) 475-5907 or email at Lisa.A.Teems@uscg.mil.
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