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Security Levels
Office of Work-Life Programs -
Suicide Prevention Program
Emergency suicide crisis services may 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
- Coast Guard Medical Clinics - In addition to military personnel, CG Clinics may serve dependents at some locations if space is available.
- Coast Guard Employee Assistance Program - (800) 222-0364
- 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.)
- TRICARE Mental Health/Behavioral Health Care
- Training - face-to-face all hands mandated training is available from HSWL FOs and online at https://learning.uscg.mil/portal.asp.
Emergency services
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The Coast Guard Employee Assistance Program
toll free number (800) 222-0364 is available for crisis assistance. 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 Critical
Incident Stress Management 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. The 2010 conference will be held January 10-14 at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Registration is open to Coast Guard personnel.
- 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 Readiness and 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 - 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.
- 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 pilot project went live in July 2009 and is available 24/7.
Point of Contact
If you are unable to contact the Employee Assistance Program Coordinator on your
Regional Work-Life Staff, or need additional
assistance beyond the information provided here, please contact the
Headquarters Employee Assistance Program Manager, Mr. John Reibling,
CG-1112, at (202) 475-5161, Fax: (202) 475-5907 or email at
John.S.Reibling@uscg.mil.