Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Shipyard works to foster environment of all-around wellness

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Shipyard works to foster environment of all-around wellness

By Ben Hutto, PSNS & IMF Public Affairs

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility's Mental Health & Well Being Community of Practice is working to help illuminate the myths and roadblocks associated with seeking help for mental health issues during the month of September.

In 2008, September was designated National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. It is a time when we are asked to pause to remember those who took their lives; support the ones left behind after the sudden death of a loved one; help raise suicide awareness; and assist others by helping them connect with resources designed to help with suicidal ideation.

For Tracy Middleton, program manager of PSNS & IMF Command Counseling, the month is more than a series of presentations and reminders about mental health.

"Stress is natural part of life, but how are we taking care of ourselves?" she said. "The shipyard is working to foster an environment of whole being wellness and work/life balance. A huge part of that is connecting employees with resources. This month isn't just about death; it is about wellness and encouraging help-seeking behaviors."

All-around wellness is one of the keys to maintaining a healthy life, and the Mental Health & Well Being Community of Practice has set up several events throughout the month that focus on wellness through meditation, art and counseling. In addition to those events, two support groups will be meeting to help workers dealing with suicide loss.

"Traumatic grief is very complex," Middleton said. "How individuals work through that is just as complex and unique to them and their situations. We are encouraging workers here to engage in help-seeking behaviors. Seeking help should be applauded. It takes courage and strength to step out of your comfort zone, but when we reach a point where workers have a better work/life balance we find that the shipyard becomes more productive."

Middleton emphasized that PSNS & IMF workers have access to counseling during work hours for that very reason. Workers on day shift and other shifts can schedule times to meet with counselors during their shifts.

"The [Command Counseling Proram] is a voluntary service," she explained. "We do not diagnose. We do not add information to your medical records. You do not have to report to Security that you are seeking counseling through us. We are here to assist people working here and a huge part of that was eliminating the barriers keeping them from getting that support."

Middleton is also encouraging co-workers and supervisors to check on the people working the deckplates with them. If an employee feels someone around them is contemplating suicide or going through a rough period, asking them if they feel hopeless or asking them if they are thinking about committing suicide are important questions to ask. As uneasy and difficult as those questions are, they could have a huge impact on helping someone seek help.

If a coworker is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, helping them get in contact with a counselor and continuing to check on them are huge pieces in helping keep our teammates safe.

"Reminding people that counseling is form of self-care is a huge part of eliminating the stigma that comes with mental health," Middleton said. "Counseling isn't about finding what's wrong with you. It's about finding out what is right."