Suicide Prevention - Be The One

          Many of us are veterans and if you belong to the American Legion, you possibly have heard of the “Be The One” program that teaches how to interact and respond to veterans who may be in crisis and contemplating suicide.  This program is not limited to veterans responding or receiving help to deter suicide.  This is good training for everyone, it’s free, and only takes one hour via Zoom.

          The Problem.      In 2022, the last year with hard data, 49,316 people died of suicide.  That is 1 death every 11 minutes or about 135 per day.  Of the total, 6,398 were veterans (13%).  Suicide is the second leading cause of death in veterans under age 45 and highest in the 18 - 34 year olds.  It is almost a certainty that everyone of us has known a person who died by suicide.  the strongest risk factors for veterans include homelessness, chronic pain, PTSD, and substance abuse, and separation/transitions.

          Those at Risk.   The general population shares the same risk factors and includes a history of physical or sexual abuse, mental health diagnoses (although less than half), prior suicide attempt or cutting, relationship or work problems, financial or legal issues,  Males make up 50% of the population, but 80% of suicides.  A loaded, unlocked firearm increases risk 4 - 6 times accounting for 54.6% of all suicides, but responsible for 73.5% of suicides by veterans.

          Myths.   Here are some commonly held beliefs that are not true.

• “once suicide is contemplated, sooner or later it’s going to happen.”

          truth: suicide is impulsive and takes less than 10 minutes from first thought to acting on it. Get past the impulse, get help, and get a save. 

• “talking about suicide is risky and can give the person the idea to do it.”

          truth: suicides are prevented by talking about it. People want others to know the significance of their pain and that there is someone willing to take time to care and help.

• “if they know someone who died by suicide it makes suicide seem more normal.”  

          truth:  All survivors want to be saved and asking about it normalizes help-seeking and decreases barriers to care.  Intervene after a suicide because “Postvention” is “Prevention.”

• “I might say the wrong thing.”

          truth:  People don’t remember what was said, but that someone who cared was there for them. 

Take the training!  Do it right!

• Be able to identify and support people at risk. Save a life.
•  In a caring and conversational way, ask about their life and the crisis that might be pushing them toward suicide.
• If they are talking about suicide, find out how long they have been thinking about it and if they have started to work on a detailed plan as to how to kill themselves.
• A detailed plan within the past 3 months is a high risk situation - get help.
• For immediate assistance, call or text 988, 911, or go to the emergency room.
• Do a warm handoff.  Stay with them until they can be evaluated.

Let’s look out for each other and our veterans!  

Medical Tip from Charles Driscoll, MD     VASSAR State Surgeon

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1. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html
2. https://www.legion.org/advocacy/be-the-one Free training for Legionnaires and all community members
3.  [email protected] Developer of CSSRS and willing to answer your questions.
4. cssrs.columbia.edu Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale CSSRS; the most evidence-based tool of its kind.  Can download a mobile app and a single page will teach you to identify risk factors and warning signs; outline the types of suicidal ideation and the four behaviors indicating imminent risk; words to use to communicate with individuals at risk of hurting themselves.
5. 988 (suicide and crisis lifeline)

Upcoming online sessions sponsored by American Legion (all times Eastern)

4/28/26 11:30 am

5/06/26  2:30 pm

5/14/26  5:00 pm

5/19/26  11:30 am

Pre-register through the American Legion