by
Your MET Staff | Tuesday, November 25, 2014 |
The United States Navy has just released guidance on suicide
prevention for health professionals and commanders by lessening access to
lethal means by instituting voluntary storage of privately-owned firearms. The measure is part of a larger Department of
Defense strategy to prevent suicide and similar tragedies in the military.
Said Captain Mike D. Smith, the Director of Navy Suicide
Prevention Branch, "Firearms were used in half of all Navy suicide deaths
in 2012 and 2013, and continue to be the primary method used in both military
and civilian suicides. Reducing access
to lethal means has been proven to save lives. These voluntary measures are
intended to help Sailors avoid taking such irreversible actions to end their
lives, and provide the opportunity for intervention and care."
NAVADMIN 263/14
The initiative, called NAVADMIN 263/14, states that health
professionals and commanders are authorized to ask sailors who might reasonably
be believed to be at risk for suicide or harming others, to voluntarily allow
storage of their private firearms for temporary safekeeping by the
command. The decision is solely the
sailor’s, and the health care professional or commander may not offer
incentives, disincentives, or force the sailor to turn over the firearm.
If a sailor agrees to surrender his/her firearm, the commander is
required to ensure that the sailor’s rights are protected. The firearm may be stored on the installation
or other location in coordination with local authorities, and it must be
returned upon request, unless there is a predetermined storage period agreed
upon between the sailor and commander.
Suicide causes can consist of a chain of events that leads an
individual to feel hopelessness and distress, combined with the capacity to
take lethal action. Research shows that
the immediate availability of lethal means has a direct increase in the
possibility of a lethal attempt during a high-risk time.
Captain Smith conveyed,
"Commanders and health professionals must identify sailors at risk and
provide all available assistance while maintaining Sailors' rights. Just as a person should be willing to turn
over the car keys when not fit to drive, one should be willing to turn over
their firearm for safekeeping until he or she feels fit again."
Suicide warning signs
include the following:
- Expressing thoughts of
harming oneself
- Making plans and gaining
means to take lethal action
- Getting rid of or giving
away possessions
- Engaging in destructive
behavior that is uncharacteristic, like substance abuse or violence
- Mood changes (i.e.,
anger, anxiety, etc.)
- Isolation, expressing
feelings of hopelessness
If a sailor will not allow storage
of their private firearm, a commander can ask the sailor to:
1. Voluntarily dismantle the weapon and
allow the command to store certain critical pieces
2. Store the firearm with a safety-lock
and provide a trusted adult with the key
3. Store the firearm and/or ammunition
with a trusted adult.
In any situation where there is an
immediate risk to life, health professionals and commanders must take immediate
action to get the sailor care, support and treatment.
The
following resources are available if you or someone you know needs help and
support: