Research has shown that the best way to prevent suicide is to address it directly. Navy Expeditionary Combat Command has been working hard to create an atmosphere in which Sailors feel comfortable seeking help not just in September during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, but year around.

NECC's headquarters in Virginia Beach held an all-hands suicide awareness training event, Sept. 27 aimed at suicide prevention awareness. Audrey Ottavani, Fleet and Family Support Center's life skills, family violence prevention coordinator at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story provided the training, which focused on Operational Stress Control, warning signs to look for, and the guiding principles of resiliency.

"Asking for help is never a sign of weakness, it means you value who you really are," said Ottavani, who added many times as co-workers we work alongside each other every day and can miss the smallest things. "Suicide is still so huge and one life is too many."

Ottavani added that suicide is the third largest cause of death for ages 24 and younger.

"We must increase awareness to make a difference," said Petty Officer 1st Class Aliscia Malone, NECC's suicide prevention coordinator. "Awareness precedes change and without it we cannot heal our Navy or our nation."

Cmdr. Robert Hines, NECC's Force Psychologist discussed how NECC is also making an effort to provide more embedded mental health providers so Sailors have easier access to seek help.

"NECC has eleven embedded mental health providers stationed between four different locations: Virginia Beach, Gulfport, San Diego, and Port Hueneme," said Hines. "In the near future we will also be adding another 11 providers to be divided up at various locations worldwide. NECC leadership has done a tremendous job of recognizing the benefit and importance of having an embedded mental health program that is focused solely on our force."

Additionally, Sailors at NECC have showed their support by participating in the "1 Small ACT" suicide prevention campaign by focusing on encouraging simple acts that can make a difference in the lives of others.

In September 2015, Navy Suicide Prevention launched a new message as part of the campaign, encouraging simple actions that can make a difference or perhaps save a life. "1 Small ACT" -- based on Navy's Ask Care Treat model -- ties into the broader collaborative communications efforts between the armed forces, Dept. of Defense Suicide Prevention Office, and Veterans Affairs to promote the "Power of 1 concept".

View NECC's 1 Small Act video at the following link:

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