The Organizational Incident Operational Nexus (ORION) program, implemented by the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery within Navy medicine, aims to connect sailors with resources following non-combat-related trauma. The program, which originated after the fatal Western Pacific collisions in 2017, fills a critical gap by providing long-term support to sailors. Through voluntary touchpoints, ORION’s care coordinators help sailors navigate the system, connect them to resources, and provide continued support beyond the acute phase of trauma.
Key Points:
- ORION was developed after fatal collisions of guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) and USS John McCain (DDG-56) in 2017 which resulted in the death of 17 sailors. Since its inception, the program has assisted 2,200 sailors in managing non-combat trauma.
- The program acts as a command unit-level tool that provides support following non-combat-related trauma, such as a training mishap, suicide, or incidents where death could have occurred.
- The ORION program comprises three full-time care coordinators who maintain contact with sailors identified as being at a higher risk of stress or needing additional help after traumatic events.
- ORION plays a crucial role in providing sustained support to sailors and Marines, helping them navigate the system, connecting them with necessary resources, and checking in on their well-being even after the acute phase of trauma has passed.
- The program categorizes sailors and Marines based on their exposure to trauma and their risk level. This categorization aids in providing more personalized care and follow-up, particularly for those diagnosed with a mental health disorder.
Continue reading at https://news.usni.org/2023/06/15/navys-orion-program-aims-to-connect-sailors-marines-with-resources-following-trauma?
