UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

MARINE CORPS SUICIDE PREVENTION

PROGRAM(MCSPP)

MARCH 2009ALL-HANDS TRAINING

Insert Commanding General Video

Suicide Prevention

Current Situation

– Rate in decline since 1997

– 41 Marines in Calendar Year 2008

– Why the increase?

– Cannot afford to sleep any longer.

Current Situation

Gender 39 Male 2 Female

Race34 Caucasian 2 African American 4 Hispanic 1 Unknown

Age30 (17-24) 7 (25-29) 3 (30-39) 1 (40-49)

Paygrade23 (E1-E3) 13 (E4-E5) 3 (E6-E9) 2 (O1-O10)

Method 29 Gunshot 12 Hanging

Marine Deaths by Suicide CY 2008

Current Situation

• Marine Corps is mostly:– White– Male– Young– E1 – E5

• Who’s at risk?– Everyone!

Current Situation

Number of Suicides

Increase over the last 2 years

Not necessarily linked to deployment

1. Romantic relationship problems (49%)

Top 5 Suicide Associated Stressors

2. Work related problems (34%)

3. Pending negative legal or administrative action (33%)

4. Physical health problem (33%)

5. Job dissatisfaction (28%)

Weapons Ready Model

HEAD HEART BODY

BUDDY RIFLE

Weapons Ready Model

Legal

Financial

Risky BehaviorHEAD

Negative Thinking

Weapons Ready Model

HEARTR

elationshipsHopeless

Aggressive Behavior

Humiliation

Weapons Ready Model

BODY

Sleep

Alcohol

Diet

Drugs

Weapons Ready Model

BUDDYWithdraw

Prized Possessions

Weapons Ready Model

RIFLEYour rifle’s not ready if you are preoccupied in other ways.

Your rifle is your gear, all your gear.

Is all your training up to date?

Weapons Ready Scenario

Drill Instructor Sergeant Richard Stumpf

25 NOV 1969 – 31 OCT 1994

Weapons Ready Guided Discussion

HEAD HEART BODY

BUDDY RIFLE

BREAK

Suicide Prevention

Insert Colonel

Video

A.C.E.

Ask your fellow Marine– If they are acting differently there is most likely a

reason.

Care about your fellow Marine– Listen to what your fellow Marine is saying. Are

they asking for help?

Escort your fellow Marine– Take your fellow Marine to the help they need.

Local Resources

• Fellow Marine• Chain of Command• Battalion Aid Station – XXX-XXX-XXXX• Chaplain – XXX-XXX-XXXX• MCCS – XXX-XXX-XXXX• Red Cross – XXX-XXX-XXXX• Installation Hospital/ Clinic – XXX-XXX-XXXX • 911

MODIFY SLIDE FOR LOCAL RESOURCES AS APPROPRIATE

National Resources

• National Suicide Hotline – 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service – 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

• Military OneSource– nonmedical counseling services – www.militaryonesource.com – 1-800-342-9647

National Resources

Headquarters Marine Corps Suicide Prevention– www.usmc-mccs.org/suicideprevent

Leaders Guide to managing Marines in distress – www.usmc-mccs.org/leadersguide

Resources Guided Discussion

911Leaders Guide to

Managing Marines in Distress

Summary

• Critical issue for the Marine Corps.

• Everyone is vulnerable.

• Weapons Ready model.

• Lots of resources available.

• You wouldn’t leave an injured buddy on the battlefield, you won’t ignore an injured buddy in garrison.

Questions ?