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Suicide Prevention Month Highlights the Importance of Staying Connected, Shifting Stigmas, and Spreading Hope

19 September 2024

From Valerie Maigue , U.S. Naval Base Guam

NAVAL BASE GUAM (Sept. 20, 2024) – Throughout the month of September, Suicide Prevention Month is observed in an effort to promote increased understanding, reduce the stigma of suicide, and ultimately save lives.
NAVAL BASE GUAM (Sept. 20, 2024) – Throughout the month of September, Suicide Prevention Month is observed in an effort to promote increased understanding, reduce the stigma of suicide, and ultimately save lives.

Suicide is a difficult matter to discuss. However difficult, it is important to learn how to recognize the risk factors and identify resources, as an important first step.

Helping Individuals and Families Face the Challenges of Military Life

Naval Base Guam (NBG) services including Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) and Chapel help support individual and family readiness through an array of programs geared towards various counseling or faith-based support.

“Our goal in suicide prevention is to promote a safe environment of inclusiveness that elicits engagement,” said NBG Fleet and Family Support Center Director Valera Young. “FFSC Staff are trained to help people experiencing significant mental health related distress. We provide communication that is genuine, kind and caring and processes that are private. It's our hope that we make a trusting connection and they allow us to support.”

FFSC offers several programs geared towards suicide prevention:
• Counseling, Advocacy, and Prevention (CAP) – Provides individual, group, and family counseling programs, victim intervention, and related prevention education and awareness programs.
• Sailor Assistance and Intercept for Life (SAIL) – Available to active duty Sailors who experienced suicidal ideations or attempts (Suicide-Related Behavior). SAIL is an evidence-based intervention that provides rapid assistance, ongoing risk assessment, care coordination, and reintegration assistance.

The sooner one reaches out for help for mental health, the better, Young said. Early intervention allows individuals to understand why they feel the way they do, and learn coping mechanisms and strategies to stay well.

“Life happens and unfortunately, it does not come with a handbook or instructions,” Young said. “Life Skills (programs) are all about self-discovery, exploring new ways to think, interact and problem solve.”

Young encourages individuals to sign up for FFSC’s Life Skills workshops, which include Anger Management, Conflict Management, Communication Skills, and Mindy Body and Mental Fitness workshops. The workshops focus on using conflict to direct positive change; connect the power of communication to strengthen relationships through mutual respect and understanding; and employ mindful though management and problem solving strategies.

“Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations and coping strategies vary as well, but being reminded of the simple things in life can support an overall healthy approach to finding a supportive life balance,” Young said.

Finding Hope in Faith

Chaplains frequently serve as first responders for Navy personnel experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. While chaplains are responsible for tending to the spiritual and moral well-being of service members and their families, they also provide a safe space for members to share their personal crises and help find them support and help before problems escalate.

“Regardless of the nature of the conversation, NBG chaplains stand ready to listen to the concerns and stresses of life in a safe and confidential environment,” said NBG Chaplain Lt. Joshua Alderman. “Chaplain care is not isolated to merely religious support, but extends to everyone and addresses the particular needs of the counselee.”

Authorized users who are contemplating suicide or who feel distressed may visit the NBG Chapel and request to speak with an available chaplain. Authorized users include service members, dependents, and Department of Department or Coast Guard civilian employees. If they need to speak with a chaplain after hours, they may also reach out via the chaplain duty phone. Chaplains offer 100 percent confidential counseling and authorized users can trust their conversations with a chaplain stay private.

“We emphasize a ‘no wrong door policy’ that encourages service members and their families to reach out to the numerous resources available to them,” Alderman said.

In addition to counseling services, the NBG chapel also hosts Protestant and Catholic worship services and welcomes anyone seeking solace and reflection time.

“The goal of our service is to provide hope for the distressed soul,” Alderman said. “Chaplain support and services seek to strengthen the spirit of an individual and help provide a hopeful perspective through life’s most discouraging times.”

Connect to Protect

The Department of Defense observes the theme Joining Your Fight: Connect to Protect, as a call to action to increase connection, safety, and hope across the greater military community. It encourages service members, their families and civilians to take action to make connections.

Places including NBG USO or Liberty Program, allow for service members to participate in activities, free events, game nights, and volunteer, all while building social connections with their peers.

NBG USO provides a safe space with plenty of comfortable seating, entertainment options like television and video games, and other amenities that offer a respite from daily stressors. USO is known for organizing activities and social events, family events, and providing care packages for service members.

On top of these services and events, USO offers various opportunities for Sailors and other military personnel to get involved through volunteering. USO volunteer opportunities include:

• Center Assistance: Volunteers may assist at USO by welcoming and engaging with service members and families, helping with administrative tasks, or providing support for activities and programs.
• Event Support: Volunteers can help with coordinating and leading USO events, including special events, social gatherings, and holiday celebrations.
• Community Outreach: Sailors can participate in community outreach efforts, representing the USO at local events, and helping to raise awareness about the organization and its mission.

“Volunteering with the USO offers Sailors a meaningful way to support their fellow service members and deepen their ties to the military community,” said NBG USO Center Manager Ed Lebita.

Similarly, the NBG Liberty Program offers activities life skill lessons including cooking classes, fishing lessons and paddleboard lessons; leisure activities including paint night and karaoke nights; and activities to engage with others including bingo, bowling, sporting events, local tours, hiking, and chasing sunsets.

“At the Liberty Program we also provide opportunities for service members to give back to the community,” said NBG MWR Liberty Program Manager Barbara Villagomez. “Volunteering strengthens your ties with the community, connects you to people with similar interests, potentially helping you develop a solid support base.”

Resources for You or Someone You Know

988 Lifeline
If you or someone you know is in crisis dial 988. The 988 Lifeline, offers free 24/7 access to trained Lifeline specialists who can help individuals experiencing mental health-related distress.

FFSC Guam
FFSC is located in Bldg. 106 by the NBG Main Gate, and are open Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call the FFSC office at (671) 333-9828 or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FFSCGuam

NBG Chapel
NBG Chapel is located at 14 Chapel Rd #1 next to NBG Fire Station.
Worship Services are held on Sundays: Protestant service at 11 a.m. and Catholic Mass at 1 p.m. Catholic Confessions can be scheduled through the NBG contracted Priest via Chapel Staff.
Chapel staff can be reached at nbgchapel@us.navy.mil or (671) 339-2126 during regular business hours. For confidential requests, the chaplains can be reached specifically at nbgchaplains@us.navy.mil. For after-hours and weekend Chaplains support, the area-wide duty chaplain can be reached at (671) 488-0274. Visit NBG Chapel Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GuamNavyChapel.

Military and Family Life Counseling (MFLC)
MFLCs provide non-medical counseling, with no referral needed, no health record documentation, and minimal reporting requirements. To contact MFLCs located on NBG, call (671) 480-6201 or (671) 671-4624.

NBG USO
NBG USO is located at Bldg. 521 Battalion Drive on Camp Covington. The facility is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. For more information on USO events and services, visit their Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/usonbg or their website at https://guam.uso.org/navalbaseguam.

NBG Liberty Program
NBG Liberty Center is located at Bldg. SB1 on Chapel Road and is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For more information on the MWR Liberty Program call, (671) 564-2280 or visit the NBG MWR Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MWRGuam.
 

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