Action Over Silence equips community members, providers, and leaders in Allen County with evidence-based tools to recognize suicide crises and intervene effectively, including discussing lethal means.
We partner with the VA to offer SAVE (Signs, Ask, Validate, Encourage & Expedite) training, which teaches how to recognize suicidal ideation and connect Veterans to immediate help. A full description of VA SAVE training is here.
We offer CALM (Counseling/ Conversations on Access to Lethal Means) training – a practical intervention to increase the time and distance between individuals at risk of suicide and the most common and lethal methods of suicide, particularly firearms. It equips individuals with tools to intervene effectively with those at risk for suicide, both upstream–before a crisis hits–as well as in times of crisis. Versions are available for both clinicians (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means) and non-clinicians (Conversations on Access to Lethal Means).
We promote Military Cultural Competency training, which provides professionals with the knowledge and skills to understand and effectively serve Service Members, Veterans and their families by explaining military structure, values, and the unique experiences of the armed services. Star Behavioral Health provides this training online for free. We plan to offer in-person training Spring 2026.
We partner with the VA to offer SAVE (Signs, Ask, Validate, Encourage & Expedite) training, which teaches how to recognize suicidal ideation and connect Veterans to immediate help. A full description of VA SAVE training is here.
FREE GUN LOCKS
To improve safety during hard times, we distribute free cable gun locks to reduce immediate access during periods of crisis. You can also request them in bulk from the VA by emailing Rachael Dettling.
Action Over Silence offers peer support to Service Members, Veterans, and their family members. Individual peer support includes:
- A listening ear during a difficult time
There are many great resources in our community, but often service providers are so busy working in their own organizations that we are unaware of what exists for Service Members, Veterans, and their families. When we actively collaborate, we are better able to meet the needs of Service Members, Veterans, and their families, and can collectively have a bigger impact on Veteran suicide prevention. Action Over Silence is:
- Meeting with service providers to raise awareness of our free resources and discuss opportunities for collaboration
- Organizing meetings with mental health providers to discuss building community-wide protocols for lethal means safety.
- Convening Military/Veteran-related organizations, first responders and mental health providers to engage in Crisis Intercept Mapping (CIM) for Veterans to improve crisis services for Service Members, Veterans, and their caregivers
- Collaborating with gun retailers and shooting ranges to discuss what role they can play in Service Members and Veteran suicide prevention.
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