One of the ways that we can be Guardians for one another as members of the Coast Guard family is to take the issue of suicide awareness and prevention seriously, and personally. I received the attached document (/Suicide%20Prevention.doc) and presentation (/FragiltyDataWLNov2008.pdf) from our suicide prevention program. While it is unrealistic to expect that we can prevent every suicide attempt by a member of our family, we are duty bound to try. The first step is to embrace the Guardian Ethos. Then treat your shipmates with the same level of commitment that you display towards protecting, saving and defending the American public. I encourage each individual member and each command to take this duty to heart and equip yourself with the knowledge and resources to be ready to help prevent a suicide.
Emergency suicide crisis services may be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the Employee Assistance Program toll free number (800) 222-0364.
