WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy's 21st Century Sailor Office announced Feb. 6 that the suicide prevention program Sailor Assistance and Intercept for Life (SAIL) is now available Navy-wide at all Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) locations.
SAIL, which was launched as a pilot program last August in the Pacific Northwest, is designed to provide rapid assistance, on-going risk assessment and support for Sailors who have exhibited suicide-related behavior. It is aimed at supplementing existing mental health treatment by providing continual support through the first 90 days after suicide-related behavior.
"We are excited that we are able to bring this important program to the fleet ahead of schedule," said Capt. Michael Fisher, Director, Navy Suicide Prevention Branch. "Having SAIL available across the Navy is a great addition to the ongoing work that commands are doing to promote help-seeking behavior, self-care, and support for our Sailors who reach out for assistance. Instilling hope is the hallmark of SAIL and we believe those Sailors who take advantage of this terrific program will see its benefit."
The Chief of Naval Personnel's Suicide Prevention Branch is partnering with the Navy's Bureau of Medicine (BUMED), CNIC, and SAIL case managers who are serving as FFSC counselors to run this new program.
SAIL is not designed to replace clinical treatment for any suicide related behavior. However, upon receiving information from commands about a Sailor who has demonstrated suicide-related behavior, Suicide Prevention Coordinators (SPC) will work with CNIC, and in turn an FFSC case manager, whose responsibility will be to reach out to the individual Sailor to see if they would volunteer to participate in the SAIL program. Case managers will contact Sailors in the 90 days following suicide-related behavior.
Suicide Prevention is a cooperative Navy-wide effort that takes engagement, awareness, and action at all commands and ranks. N1, BUMED, CNIC work together to provide a range of resources to include mental health treatment, spiritual counseling, personal wellness counseling, crisis intervention as well as financial education.
The Military Crisis Line offers confidential support for active duty and reserve service members and their families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online at http://www.militarycrisiline.net or send a text message to 838255.