Bring suicide prevention training to your department or post

Support Be the One and veteran suicide prevention by hosting the Columbia Protocol training in person. 

In support of its Be the One veteran suicide prevention program, The American Legion is providing free virtual veteran suicide prevention training through its partnership with the Columbia University Lighthouse Project. The 90-minute sessions teach the Columbia Protocol, also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale, that supports suicide risk assessment through a series of six simple questions that anyone can ask. See upcoming training and register.   

American Legion departments and posts are also encouraged to contact the Columbia University Lighthouse Project and bring the suicide prevention training in person to Legion Family members. As an example, training is scheduled in New Mexico Oct. 4; Post 57 in Fairbanks, Alaska, Oct. 18; and Minnesota Oct. 24-25.

Schedule in-person training by emailing Wendy Lakso, director of partnerships and veteran and military initiatives for the Columbia Lighthouse Project, at wendy.lakso@nyspi.columbia.edu. 

“Suicide prevention doesn't happen in clinics alone; it happens in everyday conversations,” Lakso said in this Q&A with The American Legion. “With the Columbia Protocol in their back pockets, Legionnaires are uniquely positioned to lead that national shift. Our partnership with the Legion is helping to bring the life-saving Columbia Protocol to all hands and exponentially save more lives.”