Hardin Post 113 in Kentucky recently hosted its third Be the One Seminar, which included suicide prevention training.
In December of 2023, Hardin Post 113 in Elizabethtown, Ky., hosted a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs S.A.V.E. Training event that drew around 70 Legion Family members. Another similar event took place in 2024.
And last December, dozens showed up for another S.A.V.E. Training session that also incorporated The American Legion’s most critical mission: Be the One, the organizations veteran suicide prevention program.
For Post 113 member and Fourth District Vice Commander Brandon Curry, who has helped organize all three events, the mission continues to remind a priority for both he and Post 113’s American Legion Family.
“We’ve been talking about Be the One and trying to reduce the (mental health) stigma, raise more awareness, and also just kind of educating folks on what to recognize and what to see for veterans and first responders,” said Curry, who also serves as commander of Sons of The American Legion Squadron 113, as well Kentucky’s SAL National Executive Committeeman. “It’s about looking for the signs in someone who might be having trouble or struggling. And there might be things going on in someone’s life that people don’t recognize or know about.”
The most recent training session drew a packed house that included the Legion Family and members of the community. Also in attendance was a man who Curry said represents one of those individuals who might not know they need help until they’re show how to recognize the signs. The man had lived in Missouri but was in the area for the holidays. He attended the Be the One session and realized he himself was in a state of depression.
The man was provided with the information and resources he needed to get on the path toward recovery. Being able to provide that kind of assistance “really gives me a sense of pride that, ‘Hey, we are touching lives with this program,’” Curry said. “We are getting that word out. We’re trying to reduce that stigma and be able to help our fellow neighbors.”
While sharing Be the One information and resources, the session also included training for VA’s suicide prevention program by a VA professional. S.A.V.E. Training focuses on four key facets:
· S - Signs of suicidal thinking should be recognized.
· A - Ask the most important question of all, “Are you thinking of killing yourself?”
· V - Validate the veteran’s experience.
· E - Encourage treatment and expedite getting help.
“We’re just trying to get the word out to help people, educate folks and know what to do if you see somebody going a state of depression or just a common need,” Curry said. “People handle or cope with things differently. And sometimes we don’t get the right literature or right information for us to be able to pick up certain signs or symptoms from people who are struggling. This helps get that information out there.”
For Curry, Be the One and suicide prevention are very personal subjects after his experience while serving more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. “I had a couple people in my military career that were asking for help, and we didn’t recognize they were asking for help,” he said. “Now we’re trying to do something good for our fellow neighbors. We’re getting out the information to let them know it’s OK to ask for help.
“We all go through tough times. It’s nice to know, ‘Hey, it’s OK to not be OK.’ And we’re committed to keep doing this until we feel there’s no longer a need.”
The American Legion offers Be the One suicide prevention training through its collaboration with Columbia University. Check back here to see future virtual and in-person sessions.
- Be the One