Train to S.A.V.E. during Suicide Prevention Month

Have you been trained to S.A.V.E. a service member or Veteran in crisis?

There’s no better time than now, during Suicide Prevention Month, to learn how to intervene using this method, which teaches you to recognize the signs of suicidal thinking, ask about thoughts of suicide, validate the Veteran’s experience and encourage help-seeking behavior.

“Suicide is a national public health problem — it’s a crisis in America,” said Lillie Mells, program manager with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (OMHSP), during a virtual presentation of S.A.V.E. in July.

Using S.A.V.E. to prevent even one death not only saves that life, but it stops the pain of loss from reverberating.

“For every death by suicide,” Mells said, “there’s approximately 135 individuals that are impacted, and I would venture to say it’s higher than that.”

Although VA data showed there were 399 fewer Veteran deaths by suicide in 2019 compared with the previous year, 6,261 Veterans were lost that year. “We need to drill those numbers way down,” Mells said.

Understand the risks and protections

Who’s most at risk of death by suicide? Although the reasons for suicide are complex, Mells said the presence of certain risk and protective factors can make it more or less likely that a person will decide to take their life.

She said risks may include a previous suicide attempt, a mental health issue or diagnosis, use of alcohol and other drugs, access to lethal means, recent loss of any type, financial and legal challenges, or the end of a relationship.

Offsetting those risks are protective “buffers,” which Mells noted are resources or skillsets that can help prevent a suicide attempt or counter thoughts of suicide. These include access to mental health care, employment, a sense of connectedness, problem-solving skills, a sense of spirituality and having a mission or purpose.

Other factors could be present on both sides of the ledger. The main aim is this: “We want to increase the protective factors and decrease the risk factors,” Mells said.

Use the S.A.V.E. approach

Mells said S.A.V.E. can also be a critical component in reversing a suicidal crisis, most of which are brief — the majority of Veterans who decide to die by suicide act on the thought within an hour. With S.A.V.E., loved ones and peers are taught these four steps to interrupt such acts:

Step 1: Recognize the signs of suicidal thinking. Common warning signs are hopelessness, anxiety and mood swings, feelings that there is no reason to live, and rage or anger (which can be manifestations of depression).

Step 2: Ask the most important question. If you see warning signs, ask the person this: Are you thinking about killing yourself? Present the question in a natural way that flows with the conversation, making sure the person is present and listening and not heading out the door.

Step 3: Validate the Veteran’s experience. This step involves talking openly about suicide, being willing to listen and allowing the Veteran to express their thoughts. You should recognize the seriousness of the situation and not pass judgment.

Step 4: Encourage treatment and expedite help. Stay with the Veteran in crisis and reassure them help is available. Urge them to contact their doctor, go to the emergency room or call the Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 and press 1). Do not keep the Veteran’s suicidal behavior a secret, Mells added.

When talking with a Veteran in crisis, Mells provided the following additional pieces of advice:

Remain calm.
Listen more than speak, and let the Veteran ask the questions.
Maintain eye contact (or, if the warning sign happens during a call, keep the Veteran on the phone).
Act with confidence.
Don’t argue.
Use open body language.
Be supportive.
Be honest that there are no quick solutions, but that help is available.

Learn more

Find and share these additional resources:

Watch a video on encouraging the secure and safe storage of lethal weapons: https://rly.pt/3TBmTcW

Visit the VA Suicide Prevention page: https://rly.pt/3B4WcGv

Find a Suicide Prevention Coordinator: https://rly.pt/3wNBHvu

Watch and share stories from Veterans and loved ones at Make the Connection: https://maketheconnection.net

Share this Veterans’ self-help portal, with free, confidential courses on problem solving, anger management, parenting and other issues: https://www.veterantraining.va.gov

Download mobile apps in reducing stress, practicing mindfulness, managing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and supporting Veterans diagnosed with PTSD: https://rly.pt/3RpLobk

Share the Veterans Crisis Line number, which is 988 and press 1 or [login to see] and press 1