When you are counseling a person for any reason
and feel there is potential for a suicide, report your
concern to the chain of command. DO NOT try to
psychoanalyze the person. You are not a psychologist.
Keep the following in mind:
If you feel the person is about to attempt suicide,
do not leave the person; call for help.
If you feel the person has attempted a suicide,
report it to the chain of command.
If you feel the person, for any cause, reason, or
circumstance, is thinking of suicide, report it.
If you feel the person abuses alcohol or uses
illegal drugs, that person may have severer
problems. Assist this person in getting help from
a trained person such as a DAPA.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL READINESS
PROGRAM
Health and physical readiness are a matter of great
concern to the Navy. To ensure the operational
effectiveness of the Navy, every member is expected to
achieve and maintain standards of physical readiness
and participate in a lifestyle that promotes optimal
health. This program is designed to support and
enhance the physical readiness of all personnel.
Physical readiness training is a complete conditioning
program designed to reduce excess body fat and
develop and maintain flexibility, cardiorespiratory
endurance, muscular strength, and the stamina needed
to perform routine and emergency tasks. The program
is a part of the Navys Health Promotion Program. This
program includes physical fitness and sports,
weight/fat control, nutrition education, high blood
pressure identification, stress management, smoking
3-14
BEHAVIOR OR
SYMPTOM
INTENSITY OF RISK
LOW
MODERATE
HIGH
Depression
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Isolation/withdrawal
Vague feeling of
depression; no
withdrawal
Some feeling of
helplessness, hopelessness,
and withdrawal
Hopeless, helpless,
withdrawal, and
self-deprecating
Daily functioning
Fairly good in most
activities
Moderately good in some
activities
Not good in any
activities
Coping strategies
Generally constructive
Some that are constructive
Predominately
destructive
Significant others
Several who are
available
Few or only one available
Only one or none
available
Psychiatric help in past
None or positive
attitude toward
Yes and moderately satisfied
with
Negative view of help
received
Life style
Stable
Moderately stable or
unstable
Unstable
Alcohol/drug use
Infrequently to excess
Frequently to excess
Continual abuse
Previous suicide attempts
None or of low
lethality
None to one or more of
moderate lethality
None to multiple
attempts of high lethality
Disorientation/
disorganization
None
Some
Marked
Hostility
Little or none
Some
Marked
Suicidal plan
Vague, fleeting
thoughts but not plan
Frequent thoughts,
occasional ideas about a
plan
Frequent or constant
thought with a specific
plan
Table 3-1. Common Behaviors or Symptoms of Suicide