Captain Dan Keeler Addresses Crew’s Mental Health Crisis on USS Abraham Lincoln
In a news conference on Thursday, Captain Dan Keeler of the USS Abraham Lincoln spoke about the mental health challenges faced by his crew during their lengthy deployment. Many of the sailors were on their first deployments and encountered combat for the first time, which Keeler acknowledged could lead to anxiety.
He assured the public that the ship’s professional team provided continuous care, stating, “The majority responded like sailors always do – with honour, courage, and commitment.” Keeler expressed confidence in the crew’s resilience, stating, “They are fantastic sailors and marines.” He noted the presence of five chaplains and a robust mental health team dedicated to assisting the sailors.
When queried about suicide attempts among the crew, Keeler highlighted that he focuses on the fact that there were “no suicides” during the deployment. While the acting navy secretary had reported eight suicide attempts across the entire strike group, Keeler explained that the number encompasses a larger group of sailors than those currently on the Lincoln.
“We want the suicide attempts to be zero; however, that’s unrealistic given the stressful mission,” he commented. Keeler emphasized that sailors experiencing acute mental health issues receive immediate attention.
The USS Abraham Lincoln returned to San Diego on 8 October, after over 320 days at sea. The extended deployment has raised concerns regarding crew welfare and mental health, particularly as tensions have intensified due to involvement in the ongoing conflict with Iran.
