BELLE CHASSE, La. – Suicide Prevention Month is observed every September, and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) New Orleans joined the ranks to raise awareness and hope against this formidable adversary. Suicide can affect every individual and family regardless of rank or branch, but the staff of the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) are just as persistent in their mission of providing services and hope to strengthen all who need help.

“We would love to get as many individuals as we can in for preventative care,” said FFSC Counselling Advocacy and Prevention Program Supervisor Ashley Sanders. “If you are struggling with depression, anxiety or relationship issues at home, that’s a really great time to get help at the first sign of a problem rather than waiting until we have gotten to the point of thinking about suicide.”

FFSC hosted several events throughout September to promote communication and connection among the NAS JRB New Orleans community and provide information for resources that are crucial in crisis and suicide intervention. These events included several gun lock giveaways and information tables around the base, as well as the FFSC Suicide Prevention Resource Fair and 5K held Sept. 25 at Plaquedilla Park onboard the air station. Several 5k participants ran in honor of people they knew who were victims to suicide.

“As we recognize Suicide Prevention Month, we want to make sure we are getting our service members and families connected with resources,” said FFSC Family Advocacy Program Coordinator Christina Comminey. “We want to make sure individuals are connected with different resources and know that there is help and support available.”

The resource fair included guest speaker Racquel Parfait, a representative from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Louisiana Chapter. Parfait, an Army combat veteran, shared her personal testimony and encouraged the audience to network with the various support program representatives in attendance.

“Suicide prevention has to be about creating a community where people know that they can speak honestly before they reach a crisis,” said Parfait. “This is the responsibility we share as service members, veterans, leaders, families and members of our Louisiana communities.”

These outreach events demonstrate the FFSC priority of wellness, resiliency and open communication about mental health and their dedication to the same for the overall NAS JRB New Orleans community.

“Listening doesn’t mean saying ‘dude, it’s not that bad,’ or ‘you don’t know how good you have it,’ or ‘just suck it up! This is the Navy.’ Care involves listening and letting the person talk and tell you as best as they can what their problems and stressors are,” said NAS JRB New Orleans Commanding Officer Capt. Andrew McGinly. “For me, the XO and the CMC, there isn’t a single one of us that will say, ‘I don’t have time for that.’ We’re going to make sure that any and every individual gets the care and treatment they need to get back on the good side of the stress continuum.”

Resources available to individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts include:

· **Military Crisis Line:**Call 988, then press 1, or text 838255. This confidential, 24/7 resource is available to all service members, veterans, and their families.

· **National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:**Call 988 for immediate support. Call, text, or use the chat feature athttp://988lifeline.org/.

· **NAS JRB New Orleans Chaplain:**Calltel:(504)%20678-3525for the Base Chapel ortel:(504)%20202-3456for the Duty Chaplain or come to the chapel at 400 Russell Avenue Bldg. 403 New Orleans, LA 70143.

· **NAS JRB New Orleans Fleet and Family Support Center:**Calltel:(504)%20678-7569or come to the office at 400 Russell Avenue Bldg. 555 New Orleans, LA 70143. For more information and resources, visithttps://ffr.cnic.navy.mil/Family-Readiness/Fleet-And-Family-Support-Program/

· **Military OneSource:**Calltel:(800)%20342-9647or visithttp://www.militaryonesource.mil/for free, confidential support and resources.

For those in immediate crisis:Please contact your nearest Emergency Room