R 041225Z SEP 09
MARADMIN 0538/09
MSGID/GENADMIN,USMTF,2007/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MR//
SUBJ/2009 NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK//
POC/KIMBERLY MCGOLDRICK/CIV/UNIT:MRA/-/TEL:(703)784-9542//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK IS 6-12 SEPTEMBER AND WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY IS 10 SEPTEMBER. ACTIVITIES IN RECOGNITION OF THIS EVENT ARE ENCOURAGED AT ALL MARINE CORPS INSTALLATIONS AND WHEREVER MARINES LIVE TO COMBAT THE INCREASING NUMBER OF SUICIDES IN THE CORPS.
2. IN 2008, THE CORPS HAD 42 CONFIRMED OR SUSPECTED SUICIDES AND AS OF 31 JUL 2009, 34 MARINES HAVE DIED BY SUICIDE. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE TRAGEDY AND IT IS A LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY TO PREVENT SUICIDE. THIS RESPONSIBILITY FALLS TO EVERYONE FROM FIRE TEAM LEADERS TO COMMANDING GENERALS. WE LIVE BY A CODE OF HONOR, COURAGE AND COMMITMENT TO NEVER LEAVE A MARINE BEHIND. THIS MUST INCLUDE BOTH IN COMBAT AND AT HOME, FOR VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE INJURIES. 
3. THE MARINE CORPS SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM WEBSITE, WWW.USMC-MCCS.ORG/SUICIDEPREVENT, CONTAINS INFORMATION ON WARNING SIGNS, RISK FACTORS, PROTECTIVE FACTORS, MYTHS AND FACTS, AS WELL AS MARINE CORPS PREVENTION INITIATIVES. ALL MARINES ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE THE TIME TO VIEW AND EXPLORE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED AT THIS SITE, KEEPING IN MIND THAT THE PERSON NEXT TO YOU MAY BE THE ONE IN NEED OF YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FRIENDSHIP ONE DAY. 
4. THE ABILITY TO KEEP A TRAINED, COHESIVE FORCE DEPENDS ON HOW WE REACT AND DEFEND AGAINST THIS SILENT KILLER OF OUR MARINES. TAKE THE TIME TO LISTEN WITHOUT JUDGING; LEARN ABOUT THE ON BASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SINGLE AND MARRIED MARINES WHICH ENGAGE THEM IN OFF DUTY ACTIVITIES, FIND OUT WHAT YOUR MARINES LIKE AND DISLIKE, KNOW THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES ON YOUR INSTALLATION OR IN YOUR TOWN. 
IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS, TALK TO A FRIEND, YOUR CHAIN OF COMMAND, A CHAPLAIN, OR CALL THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE AT 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
5. INSTALLATION ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS MIGHT INCLUDE: STATIC DISPLAYS BY LOCAL HELPING AGENCIES; SCREENING SERVICES BY MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS; FAMILY PICNICS WITH SPECIAL SPEAKERS; HOSTING A COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR; SPECIAL SUICIDE PREVENTION SPEAKERS; SUICIDE PREVENTION MARCHES; PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL COMMUNITY SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK ACTIVITIES.
6. WITH EVERYONES INVOLVEMENT WE CAN TURN THIS INCREASE IN SUICIDE RELATED BEHAVIORS AROUND AND KEEP MARINES ALIVE. BE A FRIEND. BE A LEADER. BE A MARINE.
7. RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY LTGEN R. S. COLEMAN, DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS.//