Captain Kurt Scott, USN

Director, Behavioral Health Programs

25 September 2012

NAVY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

20 Sep 2012 Source: OPNAV N135

SUICIDES SNAPSHOT

NOTE: Data for SELRES not on AD in parentheses All other data reflect AC + RC on AD

Average of 4.8 suicides per month on AD last 12 months

44 40 37 38 40 39 46

39 52 48

7 9

6 6 3 9 6

4

7 3

0

5

10

15

20

25

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Raa

tes

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00

K

Nu

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Navy Suicides

AC (incl RC on AD) RC Navy Suicide Rate Civilian Crude Rate

FACTORS SEEN IN NAVY SUICIDES

4

Distorted Thinking + Lethal Action

Stressors

Disrupted Social Network

Judgment Factors

Access to Lethal Means

Compressed Intervention

Window

Relationship problem >60%

Work-related problems 27-50%

Discipline/legal action 21-39%

Physical health problems 10-35%

Financial problems 16%

• Relationship breakups

• Transitions (pending separation / PCS)

• First 6 months after deployment

• Anger - argument or confrontation within 24 hours of death

• Alcohol – about 1/3 likely used alcohol near the time of death

• Sleep Deprivation - sleep problems linked to suicide

• >80% suicides on liberty or leave

(only 4% on deployment)

• About half of suicides deaths used firearms

• About half of non-fatal attempts used drug ingestion (>60% did not have firearms around)

• From case reviews - there can be a short time between suicide thoughts and action

• Overt warning signs may not be shown or are seen too late to intervene

• A family member or significant other were most likely to know the Sailor was having problems or was suicidal

• Almost 2/3 of non fatal attempters had not planned in advance to attempt suicide – they just acted on a thought.

• Feeling ineffective, burdensome, not belonging

• Acquired capacity to inflict lethal harm

• About 1/5 had treatment or counseling ongoing or historic

• Suicide Exposure via family or recent workplace:

• 10%Death of significant other: 9%

History

Reference DODSER and case review by OPNAV N135

NAVY SUICIDE PREVENTION APPROACH

Fostering Resilience

Vigilance

&

Early Intervention

Crisis Response

Post-

Vention

Warning Signs

Suicide Behaviors

Comprehensive Prevention and Family Support

Address Risk Factors •Depression/Anxiety •Sleep Disturbance •Health Problems

Coordinated Response •Coordinated Assessment of Suicide Risk, Treatment, and Follow-up

Reporting •DoDSER for Suicide Attempts

Operational Stress Control-Life Skills-Strengthen Families-Awareness

Referrals & Counseling

Reporting-Survivor Assistance-ACT

Risk Factors

Build Resilience

Navigate Stress

Bystander Intervention

Reduce Barriers to

Seeking Help

6

STRESS CONTINUUM

• Conduct and integrate suicide risk assessments into routine office visits

• Reinforce skills and confidence in working with individuals at risk for suicide

• Recognize co-occurring physical and mental health issues that impact suicide risk

• Manage at-risk individuals through changes in practice patterns

• Work collaboratively with patients to create treatment plans based on level of risk

• Identify the elements to be included in documentation of assessments, treatment plans, and communications to the Commanding Officer

6

SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM COMMUNICATIONS

Program communications

facilitate the Public Health

Approach to suicide

prevention

– Integrate Health Communication theory into message development and dissemination

PERCEIVED BURDENSOMENESS

FAILED BELONGINGNESS

HABITUATION (ACQUIRED

CAPACITY FOR SUICIDE)

PERSON MAY DESIRE DEATH

RISK FOR SUICIDE ATTEMPT

THOMAS JOINER’S THEORETICAL MODEL OF

SUICIDE

NAVY SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH

• Sustainable ways to effectively navigate stress year-round while continuing to instill awareness on suicide warning signs/resources

• Includes communications products that aim to facilitate meaningful and responsible discussion of suicide/seeking-help – What’s in a Word? How we Talk About

Suicide • One version for PA/media, one for general

audience

– Stress Navigation Plans • Template for self identification of practices for

navigating stress while in an emotionally healthy state

SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS RESOURCES

SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS

It’s Okay to Speak Up When You’re Down Campaign aimed at reducing social barriers to help-seeking behavior (stigma)

Cartoon produced by Mike Jones (“Ricky’s Tour”) for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month,

illustrating the message while integrating concepts of bystander intervention and identifying resources

11

STRATEGIC FOCUS – NAVY SUICIDE PREVENTION

FOCUS

Sailors reporting more work stress and performance impact

RESPONSE

Operational Stress Control, Personal and Family Readiness, and Health Promotion Programs

FOCUS

Strong relationships and communities are key protectors

RESPONSE

Family outreach, community education, leadership skills, prevention network

FOCUS

Provider and responder competence for suicide risk cases varies

RESPONSE

AMSR Provider Training, Command Response Plans, and Emergency First Responder Training, policy

update

FOCUS

Expand the aperture to Total Force & the whole continuum of care

RESPONSE

All hands on deck, expand tools for civilians, post-vention tools, reintegration

FOCUS

Reduce Stigma and other barriers to care

RESPONSE

Policies, education, communication

Build Resilience

Strengthen Connections

Target Skills

All Hands

All of the Time

Reduce Barriers

Lives Worth Living