EXTENDED US NAVY DEPLOYMENT RAISES MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS

The US Navy has confirmed that eight service members assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during its extended deployment, with no deaths reported from suicide, according to a letter obtained by NBC News.

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao disclosed the figure in a response to questions from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand concerning conditions and mental health support for personnel serving with the strike group.

The group has about 7,500 service members and includes sailors aboard the carrier, members of its air wing, supporting destroyers and other personnel.

The disclosure comes amid concerns over the unusually long deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln, which spent 286 days without a port call while supporting US military operations in the Middle East.

The deployment began in November and was initially expected to end in May but was extended following the outbreak of war with Iran in February.

The Navy said personnel had access to medical and mental health services, including chaplains, a clinical psychologist, a clinical social worker and behavioural health technicians.

The disclosure has renewed attention on the wellbeing of service members serving during prolonged military deployments.