SAIL is a suicide intervention program at Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), designed to help Sailors who’ve been recognized to be vulnerable to suicide attributable to suicide ideation or try. This system’s most important purpose is to supply ongoing medical case administration, care coordination, and reintegration help for Sailors recognized through the 90 days after a suicide-related habits (SRB), which is the interval of highest threat.
“SAIL gives assets and help to Sailors who’ve skilled a suicide-related habits,” stated Cornealius Stamps, LCSW, LCSW-C, medical counseling program analyst. “It additionally helps to reintegrate them again into their instructions and strengthens present psychological well being therapy by providing medical case administration providers.”
Stamps, a six-year veteran on the Fleet and Household Help Program (FFSP) with the SAIL program at CNIC headquarters, added that suicide prevention additionally requires steady efforts of management to advertise psychological and bodily well being, giving Sailors a way of group that reaches each stage of a command.
“Management performs an important function in addressing suicide by altering detrimental perceptions about searching for assist and lowering obstacles to help providers,” stated Stamps. “Staying related with Sailors and recognizing indicators of stress early may help make them really feel extra snug when searching for assist.”
In keeping with the Division of Protection Suicide Occasion Report (DoDSER) (DoD, 2021), the suicide price within the armed forces hit a brand new excessive in 2020, with 580 suicide deaths reported throughout the lively, reserve, and the guard branches. This represents a rise of 18.8% in comparison with 498 deaths in 2019.
It is necessary to do not forget that there are lots of extra situations of suicidal-related behaviors for each suicide dying reported. So, it’s important to take proactive steps to handle this difficulty and supply help to these in want. SAIL turns into a really profitable program for Sailors when a command is concerned. OPNAVINST 1720.4B requires that commanding officers guarantee their Suicide Prevention Coordinators (SPCs) refer all Sailors who expertise an SRB to the SAIL program.
The acceptance charges of the SAIL program have been steadily rising since its inception. In 2020, there have been 2,871 referrals made to this system, out of which 1,335 Sailors accepted the providers, which resulted in a 46.50% acceptance price. In 2023, referrals elevated to three,908, with 2,449 Sailors accepting providers, leading to a 62.67% acceptance price. This improve is indicative of elevated command referrals, increased acceptance charges, and a discount within the variety of suicides amongst Sailors.
Starting in 2022, the Navy transitioned the SAIL program from an in-person to a digital mannequin. This digital mannequin is now totally staffed with 44 SAIL case managers and eight SAIL supervisors who’re devoted distant counselors from the Fleet and Household Help Middle (FFSC), who work in regionally primarily based groups to serve and help Sailors all through CNIC’s areas. The transition was lately accomplished in January 2024.
Together with management and case managers, it takes everybody’s consciousness of suicide prevention and what to do to assist somebody who’s affected by suicide ideation.
In keeping with Stamps, screening is essential to saving a life, when a change is seen – regardless of how small it might appear.
“Step one in efficient suicide prevention is to establish anybody who requires help and bear in mind the time period “ACT” (Ask, Care, and Deal with),” stated Stamps. “Ask if somebody is considering suicide, actively hear, and allow them to know you care. Then you must instantly discover them skilled therapy, by utilizing any of the accessible assets. As an illustration, 988, Navy One Supply, or contact the behavioral well being division at your set up’s medical facility.”
Additionally, it is vitally necessary to by no means depart an individual alone who’s contemplating suicide or has made a suicide plan, she added.
For suicide prevention to achieve success it takes involvement, from the seaman to the CNO. Management should repeatedly promote psychological health, be attentive to suicidal-related behaviors, and know what to do when a Sailor wants assist. It’s clear {that a} wholesome and pleased Sailor will increase and maintains drive readiness.
The Navy, the DoD, and different organizations have been focusing their efforts on psychological well being and can proceed to convey the perfect providers accessible to maintain our folks secure and our Navy sturdy.
The Navy’s High quality of Life (QoL) mission is to strengthen the warfighting functionality of the fleet, fighter, and household by offering important providers that improve well-being, resilience, and retention. The Fleet and Household Readiness’ mission, “takes care of our folks by constructing nice folks, nice leaders, and nice groups.”
Listed here are some assets accessible to Navy management and Sailors to handle suicide prevention.
- FFSC’s Digital Medical Counseling – Sailors and households can entry the service from the privateness of their very own properties. To schedule an appointment, name 1-855-205-6749.
- The Brandon Act – The Brandon Act makes it simpler for service members to hunt psychological well being help. The Brandon Act was named after Navy Petty Officer third Class Brandon Caserta who died by suicide in 2018.
- Tradition of Excellence – The Navy launched Tradition of Excellence 2.0 (COE 2.0) with NAVADMIN 051/24, as an actionable strategy to constructing nice tradition at each Navy command.
- Navy Disaster Line – Dial 988 and press 1 – The Navy Disaster Line is a free, confidential useful resource for all service members, together with members of the Nationwide Guard and Reserve, and Veterans, even when they’re not enrolled in VA advantages or well being care.
- FFSP Suicide Prevention Webpage – This web page provides applications, numerous hyperlinks, together with Navy OneSource, 988, et al, and telephone numbers to assist with suicide prevention.
In the event you, your shipmate, or a beloved one is having hassle navigating stress or experiencing a disaster, assistance is at all times accessible. Searching for assist is an indication of energy, logic, and reliability wanted to thrive in a Navy profession. You possibly can confidently attain out to your command and your set up’s FFSC, Deployed Resilience Counselor, or civilian or army psychological well being supplier.
For extra info on SAIL, go to Sailor Help and Intercept for Life (SAIL) (navy.mil) or to seek out your set up’s Fleet and Household Help Middle, go to FFSC Listing (navy.mil).
