R 052005Z NOV 21
MARADMIN 645/21
MSGID/GENADMIN CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MF//
SUBJ/MARINE CORPS SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM POLICY CHANGES//
REF/A/MCO 1720.2A/20210802//
REF/B/NAVMC 1720.1/20210806//
REF/C/DODI 6490.16 CHANGE 2/20201111//
NARR/REF A IS MARINE CORPS ORDER (MCO) 1720.2A, MARINE CORPS SUICIDE PERVENTION SYSTEM. REF B IS NAVMC 1720.1, MARINE CORPS SUICIDE PREVENTION SYSTEM PROCEDURES. REF C IS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSTRUCTION (DODI) 6490.16, DEFENSE SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM.//
POC/T.J. OWENS/CIV/UNIT: MFC-/TEL: 703-784-5953/EMAIL: TOMOMI.J.OWENS@USMC.MIL//
GENTEX/REMARKS/1.  The purpose of this MARADMIN is to provide a summary of the revisions to the Marine Corps Suicide Prevention System. These changes are found in the reference (a), MCO 1720.2A.  Reference (a) also implements reference (b).
2.  The revised MCO 1720.2A incorporates the necessary procedural and structural changes to the Marine Corps Suicide Prevention Program to ensure better compliance with reference (c).  These changes include:
2.a.  Standardizing language to decrease stigma and improve coordination.
2.b.  Establishing the role of the Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator (SPPC).  The SPPC assists the Suicide Prevention Program Officer (SPPO) with program management, coordination, and communication of suicide prevention information.  An effective SPPO-SPPC relationship is one that allows the SPPO to operationalize suicide prevention through primary prevention efforts within the command.
2.c.  Reemphasizing that commanders are to ensure that a Department of Defense Suicide Event Report (DoDSER) is submitted for each suicide attempt and death by suicide.  Reference (b) provides reporting requirements and timelines.
2.d.  Updating reporting requirements to be inclusive of Reserve Marines.  Reserve commands and active duty commands with Reserve Marines are required to report suicidal ideations, suicide attempts, and deaths by suicide.  Commands must submit a Marine and Family 30-day Death or Suspected Death by Suicide Report.  All reporting procedures are outlined in reference (b).
2.e.  Clarification that a Competent Medical Authority (CMA) is not required to determine if an ideation has occurred and should not be the basis for making a report.  Ideations are to be reported as the result of a verbalized thought, wish, or intent to die or cause self-harm as conveyed to any Service member.  The focus is not the determination of whether or not an ideation took place but rather on allowing the commander and/or leader the opportunity to track the occurrence and engage with the Service member concerning issues of stress and other factors that lead to suicide.
2.f.  Reemphasizing that commanders are to ensure methods to restrict access to lethal means for those deemed at risk for harm to themselves or others are included in policy and are implemented throughout command. Reference (b) provides further detail on methods to restrict access to lethal means.
2.g.  Clarification of the requirement for commanders to provide measures for postvention support to individuals, families, and units after a suicide-related event and that these measure are included in program policies and implemented throughout the command.  Reference (b) provides further guidance for postvention procedures, including memorial services and remembrances.
3.  Resources to support these changes are available on the Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Behavioral Programs, Suicide Prevention Capability website:  https(slash)(slash)www.manpower.usmc.mil(slash)webcenter(slash)portal(slash)BehavioralProgramsBranch(slash)pages_behavioralprogramsbranch(slash)suicidepreventioncapability.
4.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
5.  This MARADMIN will expire one year from date published.
6.  Release authorized by LtGen David A. Ottignon, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//