CALM

Worried about a loved one? Work in a job that brings you into contact with individuals who might be at risk of suicide but feel unequipped to intervene? Learn how you can help keep them safe – no clinical background is required. ‍

Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) is 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.

The oldest and most widely-used training on lethal means safety, CALM teaches why means matter and 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 and non-clinicians:

• CALM teaches clinicians, gun owners, and the general public strategies to reduce an at-risk person’s access to things that could easily kill them, especially firearms, using collaborative methods that preserve life, liberty, and the at-risk person’s decisional autonomy.
• We aim to create a new clinical and social norm: when a client or someone you know is in enough distress that suicide is a concern, in addition to providing clinical or social support, talk with them about reducing their access to firearms and dangerous medications until they have recovered. 

Training Options

• CALM Clinical
  • In-person or virtual intermediate training for clinicians
  • 3.5 hours
• CALM Adolescents
  • In-person intermediate training for adults about adolescents
  • 3.5 hours
• CALM Conversations
  • Basic in-person or virtual training for adults
  • 90 minutes