3 navy sailors assigned to USS George HW Bush kill themselves in a week in 'separate, unrelated incidents'
Three sailors who were assigned to the USS George HW Bush aircraft carrier have reportedly taken their own lives within a span of days.
The ship's commanding officer Capt. Sean Bailey said, in a statement, that the three sailors died in "separate, unrelated incidents" last week.
Reports state that none of the three soldiers died while on the ship as the aircraft career is currently undergoing maintenance at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia.
Bailey, while giving his statement, urged members of his crew to seek help if needed and watch out for the well-being of their colleagues: "My heart is broken," he said. His statement, however, did not mention the name of the crew members or any evidence connecting the three deaths.
"It is with a heavy heart that I can confirm the loss of three sailors last week in separate, unrelated incidents from an apparent suicide," Bailey wrote in an announcement on the ship's Facebook page on Monday, September 23.
"These deaths mark the third, fourth, and fifth crew member suicides in the last two years," Bailey said. "Now is the time to come together as a crew and as a family to grieve, to support each other, and to care for those in need."
"We need all hands to engage by bringing forward your suggestions and ideas for how we can work together to prevent another suicide. I want to reiterate that there is never any stigma or repercussion from seeking help," Bailey said.
"Chaplains, psychologists, counselors, and leadership are engaged and available on board at all times to provide support and counseling to those grieving," the captain added.
The commanding officer also urged his crew members to watch out for colleagues suffering from relationship problems, disciplinary or legal issues or other difficulties.
Between January 1 and September 5 this year, at least 46 active-duty sailors and four reservists have died by suicide, according to Navy statistics. There were a total of 68 active-duty suicides in the Navy last year, a significant increase from 43 three years earlier.