CALM: Conversations on Access to Lethal Means is a suicide prevention training that encourages safe storage of lethal means during a suicidal crisis. By temporarily putting time and distance between a suicidal person and highly lethal means, a life may be saved.
CALM: Counseling on Access to Lethal Means was originally created as a workshop designed for mental health professionals. The purpose was to help mental health professionals implement counseling strategies to help clients at risk for suicide and their families reduce access to lethal means, particularly (but not exclusively) firearms.
Because everyone can benefit from this training – it is not just limited to mental health professionals.
What Conversations on Access to Lethal Means is and is not:
- CALM is anti-suicide not anti-gun or anti-drugs
- Specific, effective part of suicide prevention
- Not suicide risk assessment
- Not the answer but should be included –Anyone can do it – not just in professional roles
Participants in CALM training will:
- Become more knowledgeable about suicide facts
- Learn how to inquire about the accessibility of lethal means
- Learn how to suggest safe storage
- About results of lethal means reduction in countries outside the U.S..
- Practice their new skills through role plays and group discussion.
Elaine Frank, one of two original developers of CALM, trained three LOSS staff members as trainers.
An online version is also available
Free suicide prevention resources for the firearms community are available here
