Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class James Hunt | 180802-N-QN452-0009 NAVAL BASE KITSAP-BREMERTON, Wash. (Aug. 2, 2018) Kristi Radetski,...... read more read more
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Sailors are trained to be firefighters, first responders and deckhands. Sailors from USS Nimitz are going one step above by becoming better at identifying warning signs of suicide and how to help their shipmates access resources through a program called SafeTALK.
This program is an important class that covers everything from identifying a person with thoughts of suicide, to helping them get the help they need.
“SafeTALK is turning a light on in a dark place, providing hope where there is no hope,” said SafeTALK Trainer Scott Radetski, from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. “We have faith that the Nimitz as a whole can make a difference in the life of the Sailors onboard, it’s all about becoming a suicide safer community.”
It’s pertinent, now more than ever that the Navy has properly trained Sailors who can look out for their brothers and sisters-in-arms. According to an article on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in the United States in 2017, claiming the lives of nearly 45,000 people. A 2016 Pentagon web report said 265 service members committed suicide the previous year, continuing a trend of high suicide rates over a seven-year streak.
“I think that everybody should be coming to this class and getting all this information,” said Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Jordan Hogue, from Waterloo, Iowa. “Whether they like it or not, suicide does happen and one is too many. We all need to be aware of our surroundings and our Sailors.”
Those who attend the class will learn about applying the T.A.L.K. steps: tell, ask, listen, and keep safe. These steps help Sailors deal with a difficult situation by creating a formula to help get someone to a safe place. SafeTALK also helps train individuals to move beyond the tendencies to miss, dismiss, or avoid signs of suicide ideations in others. Sailors attending the class learned how to safely and smartly approach Sailors who may be thinking they are suicidal by being able to recognize the signs and get them the help they need.
“I chose to take the class, because as a 2nd class, I feel that it is my job to make sure that my junior Sailors know that they matter,” said Hogue. “without our Sailors coming first, the mission will not be successful.”
Suicide doesn’t just wound one person, it can have major impact on everyone around the individual. It can change the lives of their family, friends and fellow Sailors.
“We need to put it at the forefront,” said Radetski. “We need to address it. We need to talk about it. Ignoring things doesn’t make them go away, and I think the Nimitz is doing a great job coming along side and supporting the programs.”
SafeTALK classes happen year round to allow multiple opportunities for Sailors to attend the class. After completing the class, Sailors can choose to apply for Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, which is a two day follow-on course that dives even deeper on how to help someone with suicidal thoughts. The ASIST workshop is for anyone who wants to feel comfortable, confident and competent in helping prevent a suicide.
For those interested in attending a safeTALK or ASIST workshop they can contact their command chaplain.
If you are in a crisis, call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
| Date Taken: | 08.03.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 08.10.2018 11:38 |
| Story ID: | 288213 |
| Location: | BREMERTON, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 173 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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