R 161733Z DEC 14
MARADMIN 654/14
MSGID/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MF(UC)/F002//
SUBJ/2014 SUICIDE PREVENTION “CALL TO ACTION”//
POC/A. WALSH/CIV/UNIT: MFCP-3/-/TEL:703-784-9633/EMAIL:ADAM.WALSH(AT)USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. TO DATE THERE HAVE BEEN 46 DEATHS BY SUICIDE ACROSS THE MARINE CORPS. THIS IS 46 DEATHS TOO MANY. THIS MARADMIN HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF ENGAGED LEADERSHIP IN PREVENTING SUICIDE. SUICIDE PREVENTION REQUIRES A YEAR-ROUND, 24/7 “ALL HANDS” COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY. THIS STRATEGY STARTS WITH MARINE LEADERS AND EXTENDS TO EVERY MARINE IN OUR CORPS. MARINES AND MARINE LEADERS SHOULD BE ALERT TO CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR OR DEMEANOR THAT MAY INDICATE DISTRESS AND TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO HELP. SUICIDE IS OFTEN THE RESULT OF COMPOUNDING STRESSORS AND THERE ARE USUALLY WARNING SIGNS. AS WE APPROACH THE HOLIDAY SEASON, IT IS A GOOD TIME TO REMIND MARINES HOW TO RECOGNIZE DISTRESS, HOW TO ASSIST THEIR FELLOW MARINES, AND HOW TO ACCESS CARE.
2. UPON REVIEWING FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO SUICIDE, WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT PERIODS OF INDIVIDUAL AND UNIT TRANSITION SUCH AS PCS SEASONS, ARE HIGH-RISK TIMES FOR SUICIDES. FOLLOWING THE HOLIDAY SEASON, PROTECTIVE FACTORS LIKE SENSE OF BELONGINGNESS MAY DECREASE, WHILE RISK FACTORS LIKE EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL USE AND LEGAL ISSSUES MAY INCREASE.
3. ENGAGED LEADERSHIP REQUIRES KNOWING YOUR MARINES. SIGNS OF DISTRESS INCLUDE A CHANGE IN JOB PERFORMANCE, ALCOHOL OR DRUG MISUSE, SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN MOOD, LEGAL PROBLEMS, RELATIONSHIP ISSUES, REPEATED HIGH RISK BEHAVIORS, AND THE EXPRESSION OF SUICIDAL IDEATION. THE MOST EFFEECTIVE SUICIDE PREVENTION STRATEGY IS THE ONE THAT INTERVENES BEFORE AN ATTEMPT IS MADE. SUICIDAL IDEATION, EXPRESSING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, OFTEN PRECEDES SUICIDE ATTEMPTS. TO RECOGNIZE DISTRESS REQUIRES ENGAGED LEADERSHIP.
4. SHOULD YOU RECOGNIZE DISTRESS, ASK. SIMPLY PUT, ASKING A MARINE ABOUT HIS WELLBEING, BEING HONEST AND DIRECT ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS, AND EXPRESSING COMPASSION FOR THE MARINE’S WELFARE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR MARINE. LISTEN TO YOUR MARINE’S RESPONSES, PAYING ATTENTION TO BOTH WORDS AND EMOTIONS. IF YOU ARE STILL CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR MARINE’S SAFETY, ASK DIRECTLY “ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE?” KNOW THAT THERE ARE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT YOU, THE MARINE, AND HIS FAMILY. A MARINE WHO EXPRESSES SUICIDAL IDEATION SHOULD BE ESCORTED TO THE MILITARY TREATMENT FACILITY OR CIVILIAN EMERGENCY ROOM. THE CHAIN OF COMMAND SHOULD BE NOTIFIED AT THE FIRST AVAILIABLE OPPORTUNITY.
5. THE GOAL IS ALWAYS TO RECOGNIZE DISTRESS EARLY, BEFORE THE STRESSORS BUILD AND WHILE PROBLEMS ARE MORE MANAGEABLE. THE CORPS HAS INVESTED IN MANY EFFORTS AND PROGRAMS TO TAKE CARE OF OUR MARINES AND SAILORS AND ELIMINATE SUICIDES. LEADERSHIP CAN MARSHAL SUPPORT FOR MARINES AND SAILORS VIA THE FORCE PRESERVATION COUNCILS AND THE MARINE INTERCEPT PROGRAM. MARINES SHOULD BE AWARE OF AND ENCOURAGED TO UTILIZE THE HELPING RESOURCES AT THEIR DISPOSAL. INDIVIDUAL MARINES MAY ACCESS CHAPLAINS, MARINE FAIMILY LIFE COUNSELORS, DSTRESS LINE (1-877-476-7734), COMMUNITY COUNSELING PROGRAM, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING CENTERS. THESE RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE YEAR-ROUND.
6. I EXPECT LEADERS TO TAKE ACTION AND USE THESE TOOLS TO ENSURE WE PROVIDE OUR MARINES WITH THE SKILLS TO FIGHT THIS BATTLE AND SUPPORT HELP SEEKING BEHAVIORS. SUICIDE IS A COMPLEX PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES A YEAR-ROUND, 24/7 COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY. AFFIRMING THE INDOMINATABLE SPIRIT OF MARINES IS AN ENDURING MISSION AND HOW WE "KEEP FAITH WITH MARINES AND FAMILIES." THIS REMAINS TRUE AS WE APPOACH THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
7. ALL COMMANDS O-6 LEVEL OR EQUIVALENT WILL ADDRESS THIS MARADMIN AND ENSURE ALL MARINES ARE MADE AWARE OF ITS CONTENT PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THE DECEMBER HOLIDAY LEAVE PERIOD.
8. THIS MARADMIN IS APPLICABLE TO THE MARINE CORPS AND MARINE CORPS RESERVE.
9. REL EASE AUTHORIZED BY BGEN R. A. C. SANBORN, DIRECTOR, MARINE AND FAMILY PROGRAMS DIVISION.//