CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Washington. Eight sailors attempted suicide during the extended deployment of the US Navy’s USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao disclosed the information in a letter sent to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
According to the letter, the figure includes sailors from the aircraft carrier’s crew, its air wing, accompanying destroyers and other related units. The Navy said eight suicide attempts have been recorded since the start of the deployment, but no sailor died by suicide during the period.
In one case in March, fellow sailors stopped a sailor from going overboard. In August, another sailor went into the sea, was rescued and provided treatment, and was later removed from the ship for further care.
The USS Abraham Lincoln’s deployment was significantly longer than the usual duration. The aircraft carrier spent 286 days at sea and, during that period, was part of US military operations in the Middle East for an extended time.
According to reports, families and some lawmakers had raised concerns during the long deployment over sailors’ mental health, fatigue and living conditions. The US Navy says counsellors, chaplains, psychologists, social workers and other health personnel were available on board to provide mental health support. Navy leadership has said it is focused on the health, welfare and morale of service members.
Hashtags: #WorldInternational #Bhopal #Desksource #USSAbrahamLincoln #USNavy #MentalHealth #World #International #DeskSource #Sailors
