Because we often have such high expectations for this season, we are more vulnerable to feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and disappointment in people or events. This can sometimes lead to depression, over- consumption of alcohol, and even thoughts of suicide.
Suicide leaves a significant void in the lives of family members, friends and shipmates.
Each and every loss is tragic, and many could be prevented. Minimal suicide prevention training at orientation and GMT is not enough, and does not constitute a proactive suicide prevention program. Prevention through education is the first step toward removing suicide from the list of leading causes of death in our Navy. Training is available on the CNET Electronic Schoolhouse Network and Navy medicine worldwide campus, and provides four hours of extensive information about policy, data, and risk factors. Misunderstanding and misinformation about suicide are common and can lead to unnecessary deaths.