Suicide Prevention at a United States Navy Training Command

Abstract

In a 2-year retrospective study, suicide prevention efforts produced a significant reduction in suicide attempts at a U.S. Navy training command. Evidence was presented that suicide prevention may be a more pressing issue at training commands than operational commands. The approach described here focused on instructors rather than on the students who were the usual patients presenting with suicidal ideation or attempts. Instructors were taught how to identify and help individuals at risk and how to get help for them.