COMDTINST 1734.1A governs policy and procedures for the Coast Guard’s Suicide Prevention Program and assigns related responsibilities.
View COMDTINST 1734.1A on armypubs.army.mil
The publication addresses command climate, crisis response, mental healthcare information, postvention, reporting, and training. It defines suicide-related behaviors and sets requirements for risk assessment, outpatient management, documentation, inpatient coordination, continuity of care, and community links.
Applies to: This Instruction applies to all Coast Guard active duty and reserve personnel and appropriated civilian and non-appropriated fund employees and their families. It also applies to other Uniformed Services members and their families while either serving with the Coast Guard or using Coast Guard facilities.
The Coast Guard Suicide Prevention Program consists of seven components including Command Climate, Crisis Response, Limit on Command Access to Mental Healthcare Information, Notification and Hand-off in Criminal Investigations, Postvention, Reporting, and Training. (paragraph 7)
When documenting a suicide risk assessment, include both current and historical risk factors, observations from the session, rationale for actions taken or considered but not taken, and follow-up plans, including a response plan when there is evidence of increased suicidality. (paragraph 8)
Reassess a patient’s needs (including suicidality) following inpatient or partial hospitalization before assuming or reassuming responsibility for outpatient care.
Establish a procedure for ensuring continuity of care during provider and patient transitions.
Unless otherwise indicated in this Instruction, Healthcare providers are Public Health Service Officers, Coast Guard Physician Assistants, Civilian or Contract licensed/certified professionals and Coast Guard Health Services Technicians who are responsible for either the care of Coast Guard personnel or for arranging care and follow-up. (paragraph 1)