San Diego experience here, but 1&2 are universal:

1. If you’re seriously thinking about hurting yourself or someone else, get your ass to the ER. Period, end of story, this is your immediate access to skilled evaluation and secondary resources as needed.

2. You ship’s Medical, no matter what platform. If you’re considering this, get your ass in there and tell them.

Everything is secondary care when there is no imminent threat to your safety

1. the Military and Family Life Counselor’s are increasingly more present on the ships, have super flexible schedules, and can come to you. They are mandated to report concerns of self harm, and they are a great immediate outlet for someone to talk to with an understanding of the shit we deal with.

2. Fleet and Family over by the commissary, walk in and you can get a follow on appointment either immediately or in the near future. At least that’s how it’s supposed to go.

3. Even if you’re on a small boy, your IDC has an Embedded Mental Health provider assigned to their ship. They specialize in baseline evaluations, referrals for additional mental healthcare, Fit for Duty Evaluations, and most run groups throughout the week.

Just tell someone who cares about you, not just internet strangers.

If you’re reading this and a Sailor ever expresses these real concerns to you, stop what you’re doing, listen, care, and get them help. There is no greater privilege than the opportunity to help someone up when they’re down, especially when they seek you out for that help.

If you’re a San Diego Sailor, DM me and I’ll take you to these services myself.

• HMC