As part of The American Legion’s “Be the One” mission to end Veteran suicide, The Legion has partnered with Columbia University to offer specialized training to equip participants with the skills necessary to safely intervene when a Veteran is in crisis. The Legion invites Legionnaires to dedicate just 90 minutes of their time to potentially save a Veteran’s life.
“If everyone felt comfortable asking the six questions, we would be better equipped to identify those who might not otherwise seek help. Suicide is preventable when we can spot the subtle signs and ask the right questions,” says Dr. Keita Franklin, a suicide prevention expert who leads the Columbia Protocol classes, emphasizing the importance of these skills.
Since February, over 1,700 American Legion Family members have completed the Columbia Protocol suicide prevention training.
“It’s fantastic because it’s a partnership with The American Legion that includes the ‘Be the One’ mission. It’s evidence-based, and we can directly apply it in our work with the Legion Family,” says American Legion Department of Utah Commander Ninzel Rasmuson, who attended the training in May.
Training Details
The training uses the Columbia Protocol, also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale, C-SSRS, developed by Columbia University’s Lighthouse Project. This protocol includes a series of six straightforward questions that anyone can ask to determine if someone is at risk for suicide. The responses help assess the severity and immediacy of the risk and identify the necessary level of support.
What You’ll Learn
By participating in this training, Legionnaires will:
- Use the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale to identify individuals at risk.
- Recognize risk factors and warning signs.
- Understand the types of suicidal ideation and behaviors that indicate imminent risk.
- Communicate effectively with individuals who may be at risk of self-harm.
The Legion encourages all members of The American Legion Family to take part in this training and share the knowledge with their communities.
Registration and Upcoming Classes
All participants will be asked to complete online surveys before and after the class to help The Legion track the training’s effectiveness and plan future sessions.
Upcoming Virtual Classes:
June 6, 2024: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. PST
July 11, 2024: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. PST
July 18, 2024: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. PST
July 25, 2024: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. PST
Take Action
Join The Legion in this critical mission to prevent Veteran suicide. Register for an upcoming class today and become a part of the solution.
For more details, to register, and stay updated on new training opportunities visit legion.org/betheone/training.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.