ALCOAST 341/24 - SEP 2024 SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH

R 031620Z SEP 24 MID600117596807U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 341/24
SSIC 1000
SUBJ: SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH
1. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (SPM).
The 2024 campaign theme is "Joining Your Fight: Connect to Protect."
The campaign is a call to action for the greater military community
to focus on collaboration, connection, and hope. The goal of the
campaign is to emphasize help-seeking, reduce stigma, encourage
lethal means safety, and increase awareness and utilization of
available resources.
2. The Coast Guard's Suicide Prevention Program leads a holistic
SPM program throughout the month to strengthen the network of
support across the Coast Guard, provide resources to assist members,
and foster a culture of continuous learning to upskill resilience.
Initial activities include:
    a. September 2: MyCG SPM Kickoff Article.
    b. September 3: Mental Health and Your Security Clearance
(Microsoft Teams Webinar).
    c. September 10: Vision Board and Remembrance Board Event.
       (1) A vision board is an artistic representation placed onto
an art board, or other digital space like wallpaper or smartphone;
it is a self-assembled collection of images, quotes, affirmations,
and other inspirational ideas and goals. Vision boards are creative
expressions typically future focused, and may offer non-invasive
reminders of actions, memories, friends, and family that bring
calming thoughts. Results can be a vision to foster hope,
connection, resilience, and support self-care.
       (2) A remembrance board is an artistic expression like a
vision board with a focus to remember or commemorate someone who
has died. The content is focused as a memory board or
"in-memory board." It is a collection of photos, images, and other
items that are used to honor the life of a deceased person.
       (3) Commands should organize vision and remembrance board
events that are also supported by local HSWL EAP Program
Coordinators, Chaplains, Resilience Coordinators, Change Agents,
LDACs, ASIST and safeTALK trained members, and Behavioral Health
Technicians.
       (4) Members across the service are encouraged to participate
in a Vision Board/Remembrance Board events to mark SPM and World
Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, 2024.
    d. The full calendar of SPM events including webinars, SPM
content and resources information can be found on the Suicide
Prevention Program website at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-
for-Human-Resources-CG-1/Health-Safety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/Office-
of-Work-Life-CG-111/Suicide-Prevention-Program/

3. The Coast Guard is committed to reducing circumstances leading
to situations that might further lead to suicidal thoughts or
behaviors. To enhance safety within our Service, the Suicide
Prevention Program strongly encourages Districts to host safeTALK
and/or ASIST trainings at their duty stations. Those already trained
in ASIST and interested in being designated in their units as a
Shipmate Support Peer (SSP) may contact their local EAPC or
CDR LaMar Henderson, Suicide Prevention Program Manager
(LaMar.B.Henderson@uscg.mil).
4. Numerous resources are available to help Coast Guard active-duty
members, reservists, civilian employees, and their family members
in need of assistance:
    a. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. If you feel someone
needs support please call/text 988. However, if you feel an
individual is in immediate danger of hurting themselves or others,
please call 911.
    b. CG SUPRT. Call 1-855-CG-SUPRT (247-8778) at any time.
The Coast Guard Employee Assistance Program (EAP), CG SUPRT, is
available to assist active-duty members, reservists, civilian
employees, and their dependent family members with a full range of
resilience topics, including financial matters, relationship
problems and other life stressors that, if neglected or ignored,
could lead to more serious consequences, such as suicidal thoughts
or behaviors. Visit CG SUPRT online at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.cgsuprt.com/

    c. CG SUPRT Application (App). CG SUPRT delivers EAP benefits,
which include non-medical counseling services, health coaching,
education support, training and tools for work life resiliency,
resource referrals for childcare and elder care, and financial
wellness tools and more. Services are available year-round,
24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week. Download the CG SUPRT App on your
smartphone.
    d. Regional Behavioral Health Providers (RBHPs). You, your units,
as well as Coast Guard leadership, have access to enhanced
prevention, intervention, and postvention behavioral health support.
To make an appointment with your RBHP, please contact your unit
medical officer for a referral or email BehavioralHealth@uscg.mil.
    e. Work-Life Employee Assistance Program Coordinators (EAPCs).
EAPCs are available to assist with connecting you to various
supportive resources. Their contact information can be found at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/hswlsc/work-life_division/Shared%20Documents/EAP/USCG%20HSWL%20EAPC%20Contact.pdf

    f. Chaplains. Chaplains are a valuable resource. Their contact
information can be found in URL below or by calling
1-855-USCG-CHC (872-4242).
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.uscg.mil/Leadership/Senior-Leadership/Chaplain-of-the-
Coast-Guard/Locations/

    g. Veterans Crisis Line. A Veteran, service member in crisis, or
any person concerned about one can call to reach caring, qualified
VA responders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988 and Press 1 or
(800) 273-8255 and Press 1. If you would rather chat or text, a
confidential chat is available below or you can text 838255.
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/

5. For more information on any of the above-mentioned topics or
other suicide prevention, intervention and postvention resources,
please contact your local Work-Life EAPC. Alternate POCs include
CDR LaMar Henderson, Suicide Prevention Program Manager
(LaMar.B.Henderson@uscg.mil, 202-494-0561) and Mr. Jose Jasso,
Employee Assistance Program Manager (Jose.R.Jasso@uscg.mil,
202-475-5156).
6. RADM Paul I. Jung, Assistant Commandant for Health, Safety and
Work-Life (CG-1K), sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.