ALCOAST 368/25 - AUG 2025 SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH - "CONNECTEDNESS SAVES LIVES: EVERY COAST GUARD MAN AND WOMAN, EVERY DAY"

R 291755Z AUG 25 MID120012023072U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 368/25
SSIC 1734
SUBJ: SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH - "CONNECTEDNESS SAVES
LIVES: EVERY COAST GUARD MAN AND WOMAN, EVERY DAY"
1. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Each year, we
recommit to protecting the health, readiness, and dignity of every
Coast Guard member. This year's theme, "Connectedness Saves Lives:
Every Coast Guard Man and Woman, Every Day," reinforces the vital
role of connection, compassion, and continuous engagement in
preventing suicide. One life lost is too many.
2. Suicide prevention is not a one-month campaign, it's a year-round
mission. September provides an opportunity to enhance unit culture,
break stigma, and empower personnel at all levels to act. This
ALCOAST outlines weekly themes and recommends activities designed to
help units and commands promote awareness, build connection, and
create sustainable change.
3. Theme and Activities WEEK 1 (01-07 SEP): Awareness and Visibility.
    a. Commanding Officers, Officers-In-Charge, and Senior Leaders
are encouraged to issue personal statements or videos affirming
their commitment to suicide prevention.
    b. Distribute Suicide Prevention Awareness Month materials
(posters, ribbons, banners).
    c. Promote access to key resources: Military One Source, Federal
Occupational Health, Chaplains, Regional Behavioral Health
Providers, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
    d. Set up "Walls of Hope" (physical and/or digital) for anonymous
support messages and motivational quotes.
4. Theme and Activities WEEK 2 (08-14 SEP): Education and Training.
    a. Conduct suicide prevention training standdowns.
    b. Offer enhanced unit-level briefings on warning signs, risk
factors, and referral processes.
    c. Host discussions led by CPO Messes and Officer Wardrooms on
supporting shipmates in distress.
    d. Invite embedded behavioral health staff, chaplains, and/or
resiliency coordinators to explain services and confidentiality.
    e. Attend Microsoft Teams Presentation of the Suicide Prevention
Toolkit September 10th at 11:00EDT
(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/

All presentations will be recorded, transcribed, and posted to view
on-demand.
5. Theme and Activities WEEK 3 (15-21 SEP): Unit Connection and
Peer Support.
    a. Launch "Coffee with a Shipmate" challenge-encourage members to
connect one-on-one.
    b. Organize morale-building wellness events (i.e. group hikes,
yoga, team sports).
    c. Establish informal peer buddy systems to promote regular
check-ins.
    d. Include isolated personnel (watchstanders, duty crews) in
command outreach efforts.
    e. Attend Microsoft Teams Presentation on the results of the
Suicide Learning Review on September 17th at 11:00EDT (link in
paragraph 4.e. above). All presentations will be recorded,
transcribed, and posted to view on-demand.
6. Theme and Activities WEEK 4 (22-30 SEP): Leadership, Postvention
Response, and Sustained Engagement.
    a. Highlight people trained in SafeTALK, ASIST, and/or who have
used the DHS Columbia Protocol Application (App).
    b. Reward/Recognize those who have the DHS Columbia Protocol App
on their devices. Encourage people who have not downloaded the App
to do so.
    c. Involve ombudsmen and family resource specialists to extend
outreach to family members.
    d. Attend Microsoft Teams Presentation of the Postvention Toolkit
on September 24th at 11:00EDT (link in paragraph 4.e. above).
All presentations will be recorded, transcribed, and posted to
view on-demand.
7. Measuring Impact. Commands are strongly encouraged to track
participation, gather feedback, and submit After Action Reports
(AARs) to COMDT (WFS-1) by 15 October 2025. Reporting templates
will be provided separately via the suicide prevention website
in paragraph 4.e. above.
8. The Coast Guard continues to focus on curtailing circumstances
that can lead someone to consider suicide-related behaviors.
Through its push to continuously strengthen the network of safety
within our service, the Suicide Prevention Program strongly
encourages Areas to host either 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).
9. 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 (or yourself) is in immediate danger of hurting
themselves or others, please call "911".
    b. Through the Coast Guard Employee Assistance Program (EAP),
Military OneSource site:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.militaryonesource.mil

or (Ph: 800-342-9647) is available to assist active-duty members,
reservists, and their dependent family members. Federal Occupational
Health (FOH) EAP:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.foh4you.com

or (Ph: 800-222-0364) is available to support civilian employees and
their dependent family members. Both services are available 24/7/365
with a full range of issues, including financial matters,
relationship discord and other stressors that, if neglected, could
lead to more serious consequences, such as depression and suicidal
thoughts.
    c. Regional Behavioral Health Providers (RBHPs) are here for you,
your units, as well as Coast Guard leadership. To make an
appointment with your local RBHP, please contact your unit medical
officer for a referral or email BehavioralHealth@uscg.mil.
    d. 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

    e. Chaplains. Chaplains are another valuable resource.
Their contact information can be found at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

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

or by calling 1-855-USCG-CHC (872-4242).
    f. 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 at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

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

or you can text 838255.
10. 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 or at 202-494-0561) and Mr. José Jasso,
Employee Assistance Program Manager (Jose.R.Jasso@uscg.mil or at
202-475-5156).
11. EVERY Coast Guard Man and Woman, EVERY DAY. Every member of the
Coast Guard has a role to play in preventing suicide. Through
connection, compassion, and commitment, we can save lives and uphold
the dignity of all who serve.
12. RDML S. C. Steiner, Acting Assistant Commandant of Workforce and
Family Services (CG-WFS), sends.
13. Internet release is authorized.