MCAS Cherry Point  –   Sailors and civilians serving aboard Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point spent September 2025 learning to support their peers, family members and the local community through a series of events aimed at building their mental and emotional resilience. 

September was designated in 2008 as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month with the intention of raising awareness about suicide, providing information about prevention, recognizing those impacted and promoting access to treatment and support resources.

Led by the clinic’s Command Suicide Prevention Team composed of Lieutenant Cmdr. William Hookes and Hospital Corpsman Third Class Cynthia Filpo Cepeda, staff participated in a series of events and mindfulness activities like yoga to reduce stress and learn ways to focus their thoughts and emotions positively and productively.

Throughout the month, Hookes and Cepeda also provided staff with educational materials and conducted in-person training to help staff recognize warning signs and learn effective methods of intervening and supporting at-risk individuals.