The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group's grueling deployment saw a wave of suicide attempts

The mental health situation for sailors across the US Navy's USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group during its long deployment was worse than previously known, according to new information shared by the acting secretary of the Navy with Congress.

Since the start of the carrier strike group's deployment, which included combat operations against Iran, eight sailors assigned to the group attempted suicide, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said in written responses to questions from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, according to a copy obtained by Business Insider. CNN first reported the letter.

Cao said that while there were attempts, there were no suicides on board during this deployment and wrote that the Department of the Navy "shares your deep commitment to the safety, health, and morale of our Service Members, as well as the long-term material readiness of our fleet."

He said the eight attempts were among "the LINCOLN crew and Sailors from the carrier air wing, strike group, and destroyer squadron staff, escorting destroyers, and all embarked aviation squadrons."

The Lincoln spent over 200 consecutive days at sea before a brief resupply stop, and did not make a full port visit until Thailand in September. The carrier strike group was originally supposed to spend roughly six months in the Pacific and South China Sea, but it was diverted when war began between the US and Iran in February.

Deployments are typically longer during conflict, but numerous concerns have been raised about the conditions aboard the ship and the crew's mental health.

A Navy Times report last month described crew members trying to jump overboard amid the stress of the deployment.

In his response to Congress, Cao wrote that a sailor assigned to the air wing went overboard in early August and was quickly recovered, treated, and taken off the ship for care. He shared that another sailor "attempted to go overboard in March and was stopped by his shipmates."

Reports have also described issues with supplies on board, including food and hygiene supplies, and families have expressed concerns over the well-being of the crew. Families have said they have struggled to communicate with their relatives or get updates from the Navy.

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Cao said in his letter that there are "limited opportunities for resupply in a combat environment," so the number of "main entrée options served during regular meal hours was reduced from two to one for a short time." Four nutritious meals with sufficient calories were still provided daily, he said.

Cao added that "medical personnel remained able to take care of all medical, surgical, and mental health needs for the crew." He said that "good order and discipline aboard the LINCOLN remain strong."