From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs:
Navy is seeking tech savvy, creative Sailors to share their skills while helping communicate an important message in the Suicide Prevention Public Service Announcement Video Contest (SPPSAC), officials said July 18.
"This is an exciting opportunity for Sailors to promote seeking help as a sign of strength," said Cmdr. Robert Dews, director of Sailor and Family Readiness, Community Support, OPNAV N135F.
"Whether it's a Sailor reacting to work-related stress who talks to a fellow shipmate, or a spouse seeking help for a Sailor who seems withdrawn from family life, we must be supportive during stressful times by advocating that it's okay to speak up and get help," Dews added.
The goal of the contest is to promote awareness of suicide warning signs and bystander intervention from a Sailor's point-of-view. SPPSAC video submissions must convey at least one of the two 2012 core suicide prevention program messages: "It's Okay to Speak Up When You're Down" and/or "Life is Worth Living."
Some element of Ask Care Treat (ACT), an acronym to remind Sailors and their families of what they can do if they encounter a shipmate, friend or loved one who may need help, should be incorporated into all submissions.
The contest begins July 20 and individual and team submissions will be accepted postmarked or uploaded to the FTP site through Aug. 24. Criteria for evaluating entries will include storytelling ability, originality, creativity and technical quality. The SPPSAC is open to active-duty, Reserve and full-time-support Sailors.
The winning entry will be announced Sept. 28, to coincide with Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The winning submission will be broadcast on Direct-to-Sailor Television and provided to the American Forces Network and Pentagon channel.
