Community Training Empowers Veterans to Save Lives
By Andrew Thompson, Public Affairs Specialist
For many Veterans, camaraderie doesn’t end when military service does. It continues in places like American Legion Post 31 in Fort Smith, AR, where Veterans gather not only to share stories but also to look out for one another.
On March 9, that spirit of service was on full display when the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO) partnered with the post to deliver VA S.A.V.E. training, a program designed to equip everyday people with the tools to help a Veteran in crisis.
Leading the session was Kate Rhames, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Suicide Prevention Coordinator at VHSO, who guided participants through the simple but powerful steps behind the S.A.V.E. acronym:
- Spot the signs
- Ask the critical question
- Validate the Veteran’s experience
- Encourage and support next steps
The training helps participants recognize warning signs such as hopelessness, withdrawal from family and friends, increased alcohol or drug use, or sudden changes in mood.
“Talking openly about suicide and mental health saves lives,” Rhames told the group. “Sometimes the most important thing you can do is simply listen and let someone know they’re not alone.”
The conversation was interactive and heartfelt. Post 31 Commander Richard Lassiter raised several thoughtful questions on behalf of the group, asking what behaviors members people should watch for and what training opportunities are available for the public.
He also shared a personal experience in which a friend may have expressed distress through humor and deflection — something many Veterans in the room recognized.
Another Veteran spoke about losing a friend to suicide and the difficulty of understanding why it happened.
Rhames acknowledged that those left behind may never have all the answers.
“But our north star,” she explained, “is continuing to reduce those numbers.”
The need for awareness is significant. National data shows Veterans face suicide rates higher than the general population, with thousands of lives lost each year. Yet prevention efforts from training programs to community outreach are making a difference.
Programs like VA S.A.V.E. and initiatives such as the American Legion’s “Be the One” mission encourage Veterans, families, and communities to take action by checking on one another, starting conversations about mental health, and connecting those in need with resources.
Often, the simplest acts can have the biggest impact. A phone call. A conversation. A willingness to listen.
For the Veterans gathered at Post 31, the message was clear: everyone has the power to help save a life.
Veterans in crisis or those concerned about one can contact the Veterans Crisis Line anytime by dialing 988 and pressing 1, or by texting 838255.