ALCOAST 421/22 - OCT 2022 SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING "TEACH BACKS"

R 272016Z OCT 22 MID200080398979U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 421/22
SSIC 5400
SUBJ: SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING "TEACH BACKS"
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 222041Z JUL 22 ALCOAST 269/22
1. The Coast Guard recently partnered with the Center for
the Study of Traumatic Stress and the Uniformed Services
University to implement a Living Works Education (LWE) Training for
Trainers (T4T) project. This effort facilitates the roll-out of
evidence-based suicide prevention and intervention skills training
for Coast Guard personnel.
2. In September 2022, the LWE conducted two safeTALK and two Applied
Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) T4T classes in
Yorktown, VA, and Alameda, CA, where 87 active duty and civilian
members from across the Service were trained as instructors. Both of
these programs teach life-saving skills that help personnel
recognize people who may be considering self-harm, engage in
conversation about suicide, understand what they may need to stay
safe, and connect them to helpful resources.
3. New safeTALK and ASIST instructors will deliver suicide
prevention workshops over the next several months to complete their
certification as trainers and to provide this important training
throughout the Coast Guard.
4. Units are highly encouraged to provide opportunities for trainers
to deliver their "teach backs." In support of this final step of
certification, more than 130 life-saving classes will be delivered
across the Service in the first and second quarters of Fiscal Year
2023. This effort will successfully train more than 1,500 members of
our workforce to help save lives.
a. These trainings will be free of charge for participants
(materials included), however, commands will be responsible for
funding trainers' travel expenses in accordance with Joint Travel
Regulations (JTR).
b. To request a safeTALK or ASIST training, units should contact
their local Employee Assistance Program Coordinators who will
help make arrangements, beginning immediately. Contact
information can be found at:
(Copy and Paste URL below into browser)

https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/hswlsc/work-life_division/Shared%
20Documents/EAP/USCG%20HSWL%20EAPC%20Contact.pdf

5. POCs: CDR LaMar Henderson, Suicide Prevention Program Manager at
LaMar.B.Henderson@uscg.mil, or CDR Sarah Garrett, Deputy Chief, Work
Life Division, HSWL SC at Sarah.A.Garrett@uscg.mil.
6. RADM Dana L. Thomas, Director, Health, Safety, and Work-Life
(CG-11), sends.
7.Internet release is authorized.