September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This year’s theme, Joining Your Fight: Connect to Protect, is a call to action for the greater military community to focus on collaboration, connection, and hope.
The Coast Guard's Suicide Prevention Program will lead a holistic program throughout the month to strengthen the network of support across the Coast Guard and provide resources to assist members.
Vision Board/Remembrance Board Event
Members across the service are encouraged to participate in a Vision Board/Remembrance Board event to mark Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10. Commands should organize vision board events supported by local Health, Safety & Work-Life (HSWL) Employee Assistance Program Coordinators (EAPCs), Chaplains, Resilience Coordinators, Change Agents, LDACs, ASIST and safeTALK trained members, and Behavioral Health Technicians.
A vision board is a self-assembled collection of images, quotes, affirmations, and other ideas that offer non-invasive reminders of actions, memories, friends, and family that bring calming thoughts. It can foster hope, connection, resilience, and support self-care. Vision boards can take many forms including physical, like a poster, or digital, like a wallpaper on your phone or computer.
A remembrance board, also known as a memory board or “in-memory board”, is a collection of photos, images, and other items that are used to honor the life of a deceased person. Remembrance boards can be used in multiple settings.
The Coast Guard will also host a series of full calendar of SPM events including webinars, SPM content and resources information can be found on the Suicide Prevention Program website.
The Coast Guard is committed to reducing situations that might lead to suicidal thoughts or behaviors. To enhance safety within our Service, the Suicide Prevention Program strongly encourages Districts to host safeTALK and/or ASIST trainings at their duty stations. Those already trained in ASIST and interested in being designated in their units as a Shipmate Support Peer (SSP) may contact their local EAPC or Cmdr. LaMar Henderson, Suicide Prevention Program Manager (LaMar.B.Henderson@USCG.mil).
Resources:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you feel someone needs support please call/text 988. However, if you feel an individual is in immediate danger of hurting themselves or others, please call 911.
- CG SUPRT: Call 1-855-CG-SUPRT (247-8778) at any time. The Coast Guard Employee Assistance Program (EAP), CG SUPRT, is available to assist active-duty members, reservists, civilian employees, and dependent family members with a full range of issues, including financial matters, relationship discord and other stressors that, if neglected, could lead to more serious consequences, such as depression and suicidal thoughts. You can also visit CG SUPRT online at:(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser) https://www.cgsuprt.com/
- CG SUPRT App. CG SUPRT delivers EAP benefits, which include non-medical counseling services, health coaching, education support, training and tools for work life resiliency, resource referrals for childcare and elder care, and financial wellness tools and more. Services are available year-round, 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. Download the "CG SUPRT" app on your smart phone.
- Regional Behavioral Health Providers (RBHPs). You, your units, as well as Coast Guard leadership, have access to enhanced prevention, intervention, and postvention behavioral health support. To make an appointment with your RBHP, please contact your unit medical officer for a referral or email BehavioralHealth@uscg.mil.
- Work-Life Employee Assistance Program Coordinators (EAPCs). EAPCs are available to assist with connecting you to various supportive resources.
- Chaplains. Chaplains are another valuable resource. 1-855-USCG-CHC (872-4242).
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Veterans Crisis Line. A Veteran, service member in crisis, or any person concerned about one can call to reach caring, qualified VA responders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988 and Press 1 or (800) 273-8255 and Press 1 or you can text 838255.
For more information on any of the above-mentioned topics or other suicide prevention, intervention and postvention resources, please contact your local Work-Life EAPC. Alternate POCs include Cmdr. LaMar Henderson, Suicide Prevention Program Manager (LaMar.B.Henderson@USCG.mil or at 202-494-0561) and Mr. Jose Jasso, Employee Assistance Program Manager (Jose.R.Jasso@uscg.mil or at202-475-5156).
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