{"id":36347,"date":"2021-02-08T05:52:17","date_gmt":"2021-02-08T05:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/02\/08\/commanding-officers-to-get-more-involved-in-sail-program\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:47:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:47:10","slug":"commanding-officers-to-get-more-involved-in-sail-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2021\/02\/08\/commanding-officers-to-get-more-involved-in-sail-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Commanding officers to get more involved in SAIL program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Navy is adjusting procedures for the Sailor Assistance and Intercept for Life program \u2014 requiring commanding officers to take a more proactive approach to ensure sailors at risk for suicide establish communication with the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SAIL program is a service offered through Fleet and Family Support Centers for sailors who have exhibited suicide-related thinking or behavior. SAIL case managers equip these sailors with additional resources and are also responsible for communicating with their healthcare providers and command leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commands are required to refer sailors to SAIL if they exhibit suicidal behavior or ideation. But SAIL case managers struggle to get in touch with those referred to the program, so the sailor acceptance rate is roughly 50 percent, according to a new NAVADMIN<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why the Navy is now instructing commanding officers to step up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSAIL procedures will be modified to require Commanding Officers to instruct and verify that the Sailors who have experienced a suicide-related behavior contact the SAIL case manager at the nearest Fleet and Family Service Center,\u201d the NAVADMIN says. \u201cThis minor change in policy will help strengthen communication between Sailors and SAIL case managers by involving both in the initial contact process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t