NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – A new investigative report from NBC describes how the Navy dealt with a string of suicides on USS George Washington two years ago.
According to NBC, Navy leaders acted with anger and denial while discussing news coverage of the deaths.
Five sailors on board the Norfolk-based USS George Washington aircraft carrier died by suicide in 2022. After three sailors were found dead in less than a week in April 2022, the Navy reported that two of the deaths were not related to life on board.
Emails obtained from NBC News show some of the ship’s commanders dismissed claims of poor living and working conditions on board the ship. At least one of the commanders even admitted to having a weak grasp of mental health issues plaguing his sailors.
The Navy conducted investigations on the apparent suicides, leading to the relocation of over 280 sailors. A spokesperson with the Navy said nine sailors died by suicide in the six years the USS George Washington was docked at Newport News Shipbuilding.
10 On Your Side interviewed USS George Washington Commanding Officer Brent Gaut last year, where he said there was still a long way to go.
“Even though we’ve destigmatized mental health challenges, I think we still have along way to go, and so we’re constantly talking about ‘it’s okay to come forward, it’s okay to, in fact, it’s a sign of strength to ask for help, not a sign of weakness’ right. It’s okay to be vulnerable and say ‘hey I’m just struggling right now,'” Gaut said.
Since the span of suicides in 2022, the Navy claims they have improved mental health resources and added Wi-Fi on the ship to help sailors contact loved ones and improve quality of life.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
