Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) online training
Reducing access to lethal means, such as firearms and medication, can determine whether a person at risk for suicide lives or dies. This free online course focuses on how to reduce access to the methods people use to kill themselves. It covers how to:
- Identify people who could benefit from lethal means counseling
- Ask about their access to lethal methods
- Work with them—and their families—to reduce access
While this course is primarily designed for mental health professionals, others who work with people at risk for suicide, like social service professionals and health care providers, may also benefit from taking it.
CALM is available as a free online self-paced training for providers in two formats:
- CALM: Counseling on Access to Lethal Means, from edc.org
- CALM for Pediatric Providers: Counseling on Access to Lethal Means to Prevent Youth Suicide, from AAP. This course addresses one relatively simple, concrete way that pediatricians and other pediatric health care providers can reduce suicide: help families reduce youths' access to things at home that could most easily kill or seriously harm them.
For further CALM training opportunities or information please reach out CALM America at Counseling on Access to Lethal Means.
YSPA: Youth Suicide Prevention Assembly
Suicide is the first leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 14 and the second leading cause of death for youth ages 15 to 24 years old in New Hampshire.
Many more attempt suicide each year. In every case, families, friends and whole communities are affected.
The Youth Suicide Prevention Assembly (YSPA) is dedicated to reducing the occurrence of suicide and suicidal behaviors among New Hampshire’s youth between 10 and 24 years old. We will accomplish this by providing communities with current information regarding best practices in prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies and by promoting youth safety in our communities and organizations.
YSPA is made up of individuals and organizations who share this mission. We meet the second Thursday of each month from 10 am to noon in Concord, New Hampshire. For more information about meetings, please send an email to james.e.esdon@hitchcock.org.