Miscellaneous
These Navy professionals offer 100% confidential counseling and do not have to report a Sailor’s visit to their command.
Who are Chaplains?
This is the most common "contextual factor," appearing in 45% of military suicides in 2024.
What are intimate relationship problems?
Myth or Fact: Talking to someone about suicide will "give them the idea" or push them to do it.
What is Myth?
(It actually provides relief and an opening for help).
Dialing this three-digit number and "Pressing 1" connects Sailors to the Military Crisis Line.
What is 988?
This method was used in 66% of Total Force suicides in 2024 and remains the leading cause of death across all military branches.
What are firearms?
2nd highest is hanging/asphyxiation
poisoning most common method of suicide attempts (non-fatal), reported by the Navy and DoD.
This is the most effective way to "Ask" during an ACT intervention—using this type of language.
What is direct language?
(e.g., "Are you thinking of killing yourself?")
This common concern, often cited by Sailors, is the fear that seeking mental health treatment will lead to the loss of this essential job requirement.
What is a security clearance?
Myth or Fact: Most people who die by suicide provide verbal or behavioral clues before they act.
What is Fact? (8 out of 10 people give signs).
This is the Navy’s primary three-step intervention acronym
What is Ask, Care, Treat (ACT)?
Ask- Ask directly, “are you going to kill yourself”
Care- Show that you care by listening without judgement
Treat- get the sailor immediate assistance. Escort him or her to the nearest chaplain, trusted leader or medical professional for treatment
This gender accounts for approximately 90% of all Navy suicide deaths over the last 5 years.
Who are males?
This age group, consisting of Sailors under this age, consistently accounts for the highest percentage of Navy suicides.
What is under 30?
They consist of 56% to 64% of suicides among active-duty service members
This internal feeling—the fear of being seen as "weak"—is the #1 barrier to seeking help in the military.
What is stigma?
:Myth or Fact: Most service members who die by suicide were in combat or deployed at the time.
What is Myth? (Most occur while in homeport or at a shore command).
This program provides support for active-duty service members and families with resources and up to 12 free non-medical, confidential counseling sessions separate from the military medical system.
What is FFSC (Fleet and Family Support Center) counseling
In 2023, this specific career event was identified as a top stressor for 51% of Navy suicide prevention cases.
What is transition (PCS or separating)?
Research shows that the "crisis period" (the time between the decision and the attempt) often lasts less than this many minute.
What is 10 minutes?
This "quality of life" issue was cited in a 2024 report as a major stressor for Sailors in high-suicide environments.
What is housing/unaccompanied housing conditions?
Myth or Fact: Suicide is the #1 leading cause of death for Sailors in 2024.
What is Fact? (More Sailors died by suicide than all safety-recorded accidents combined).
This Navy program provides 90 days of rapid support and case management after a suicide-related behavior.
What is SAIL (Sailor Assistance and Intercept for Life)? SAIL is an evidence-based program that provides rapid support to Sailors after a suicide-related behavior.
The 2024 DoD report noted that this many Sailors actually did seek help in the year prior to their death.
What is nearly half (47%)?
This safety concept involves putting "time and distance" between a person in crisis and this.
What is a lethal method ? Lethal Means Safety is increasing TIME and DISTANCE between a person in crisis and an identifiable method of suicide.
Lethal means safety strategies should be incorporated into all suicide prevention activities.
Buying time during which the individual’s emotional distress can decrease, allowing for more effective coping strategies to come back online.
Team event- As a group Name 5 out of the 9-suicide warning
Feeling purposelessness- seeing no reason to live
Anxiety- anxiousness, agitation, nightmares
Trapped- feeling as though there is no way out
Hopelessness- feeling about oneself, others or the future
Withdrawal- isolating from friends, family, usual activates and society
Anger- feeling of rage or uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
Recklessness- acting without regard for consequences
Mood changes- dramatic changes in mood, unstable mood
Substance use- increased or excessive alcohol/drug use
Myth or Fact: Individuals who talk about suicide are just "seeking attention."
What is Myth? (It is almost always a plea for help and should be taken seriously).
This 2021 law allows Sailors to self-refer for mental health help confidentially and "for any reason".
What is The Brandon Act?
The bill that allows service members to initiate a referral process for a mental health evaluation simply by making a request to their supervisor (a commanding officer or supervisor who is in grade E-6 or above). Service members can make this request for any reason, at any time and in any environment.
This percentage of people who attempt suicide tell someone about their intentions before acting.
What is 80%?