ENCLOSURE (1) to COMDTINST 1734.1
SUICIDE DEFINITIONS/REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. The following terms are broadly defined for reporting purposes:
a.
A suicide gesture refers to when an individual verbalizes an actual or potential intent to
harm him or herself. This can range from very vague to very specific. The most
important factor to note is that only suicidal people threaten suicide and therefore all
suicide threats should be taken seriously.
b.
A suicide attempt refers to any self-inflicted damage in which the person attempted to
carry out his or her intent to die but for unanticipated reasons (i.e., lack of knowledge of
the lethality of the means, or an unplanned rescue), fails in the attempt to end his/her life.
Some suicidal persons are in a state of acute crisis and therefore experience a high degree
of emotional turmoil. Individuals who are in crisis often experience a disruption in their
thinking process. This can make it difficult for a person to clarify his or her intentions, or
may interfere in making wise decisions. A person in a crisis state might initially consider
suicide but subsequently change his/her mind before completing the act.
c.
A complete suicide is when individuals complete a fatal act that was: (a) self-inflicted,
(b) consciously intended, and carried out with the knowledge that death is irreversible.
2. When a suicide gesture, attempt or actual suicide occurs in your area of responsibility the
incident shall be reported by message to the chain of command and the servicing Work-Life staff
(Employee Assistance Program Coordinator), with copy provided to Commandant (G-WPW-2).
The report is required on all members of the Coast Guard military and civilian, including retired
members, cadets, reservists, and their family members.
3. The Work-Life staff EAPC will report the following information:
a.
Indicate if the incident was a:
Gesture
Attempt
Actual suicide
b.
Date incident occurred.
c.
Full name of individual, if individual is family member include name of sponsor also.
d.
Rank or civilian grade (Member or Sponsor)