Building Stronger Communities Against Suicide

Veteran suicide rates are 57% higher than the national average, and suicide is the second leading cause of death among veterans under 45.* At Veteran Spouse Network, we’re committed to addressing these challenges by supporting the families and communities that play a vital role in prevention. Family members are on the home front and best positioned to notice early crisis warning signs.

Our evidence-based suicide prevention trainings and peer support programs equip family members with the knowledge and skills to recognize those early warning signs, have compassionate conversations, and support loved ones before or during a crisis.

individuals trained in suicide prevention
trainings provided
of surveyed participants used training within one month to assess a loved one for suicide risk
of surveyed participants showed improved knowledge of crisis warning signs and confidence in assessing and supporting a loved one.

Voices of Our Trainees

  • Speaking with others and learning our common goals and our different perspectives on how to help other people was very fulfilling. I feel very prepared to help someone who is struggling with a mental health crisis.
  • [The facilitator] was highly engaging and knowledgeable, making the subject matter both accessible and compelling. What stood out most was [her] genuine care and support for participants, especially when addressing difficult topics.
  • I really like ALGEE, and I liked the activities. The instructors were top notch. I felt super comfortable sharing with the group.
  • Breakout room discussions allowed me to apply AGLEE to practice real-life scenarios that I may encounter in my daily life and how to provide support strategies.
  • The way the course broke things up and moved through different scenarios was really helpful. [This approach] gave a much deeper look into how situations evolve and how we can help at different steps.
  • Facilitators were great at keeping my attention and keeping me motivated to learn more. They are very knowledgeable about the material they are facilitating. 
  • The training emphasizes practical skills, including using effective communication and employing the ALGEE action plan.
  • [The facilitator] was extremely effective in presenting the topics discussed and providing personal examples of how to use the training and [its] impact on our community.

About Our Suicide Prevention Trainings

Every conversation has the power to save a life. Our suicide prevention trainings are based on nationally recognized, evidence-based programs that equip you with the confidence, skills, and tools to support someone in crisis. All training sessions are free and open to participants nationwide.

You’ll learn to recognize warning signs, handle tough conversations with compassion, and connect people to the right resources. Whether you’re new to suicide prevention or expanding your skills, you’ll leave ready to act when it matters most.

Build the confidence to support someone facing mental health or substance use challenges before a crisis. MHFA is an evidence-based training that teaches you how to recognize and respond to signs of mental health challenges and substance use using the practical 5-step ALGEE action plan. You’ll learn to assess risk, listen without judgment, offer reassurance, and guide someone to professional help. Interactive scenarios help make these skills easy to apply.

We offer three MHFA trainings:

  • Adult MHFA: Recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges in adults.
  • Youth MHFA: Support adolescents (ages 12–18) by understanding development, warning signs, and youth-specific interventions.
  • Military, Veterans, and Their Families MHFA: Tailored to the unique experiences of service members, veterans, and their families.

Learn more about MHFA’s research and impact at mentalhealthfirstaid.org.

Learn to create simple, personalized safety plans that can save lives during crises. This evidence-based, interactive training guides you through building safety plans, reducing access to lethal means, and connecting people to supportive resources. Through guided activities, you’ll practice each element of an effective plan, so you leave ready to act when someone is in crisis.  

Based on the Stanley-Brown Safety Planning Intervention model and supported by research from Texas Health and Human Services. Find out more at suicidesafetyplan.com and schoolmentalhealthtx.org.

Gain practical, compassionate skills to reduce suicide risk by safely managing access to lethal means. CALM teaches evidence-informed strategies to discuss safe storage and limit access during crises, creating time and space between a person in crisis and potentially lethal methods. You’ll learn approaches that are practical and respectful of personal circumstances.

Explore more at calmamerica.org. 

Upcoming Events

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Meet Our Coordinator

Ashley Craig

Hear from Ashley Craig, Learning & Development Manager, about her personal and professional passion for equipping veteran families with life-saving skills and knowledge. 

Listen to Ashley’s Healing Journey After Suicide Loss Learn More About Ashley

    • Face the Fight

    We are proud to be one of the over 250 dedicated organizations supporting the Face the Fight coalition, a nationwide movement founded by USAA to end veteran suicide. Together, this growing coalition is making a measurable impact—already reaching over 500,000 lives through funded programs, training 30,000+ community members in suicide prevention, and projecting to save 6,500 lives by 2032.

    Military and veteran families hold a unique and vital role in recognizing suicide risk and encouraging loved ones to seek help. With grant support from Face the Fight, we are able to expand access to evidence-informed training that equips families and community members to spot early warning signs, intervene, and promote voluntary, strategic firearm storage during times of crisis. Our partnership strengthens communities and builds hope by empowering veteran families with life-saving tools and support. 

    Learn More About Face the Fight View the 2024 Progress Report

    Worried About a Veteran 

    Worried About a Veteran (WAV) is a national initiative dedicated to preventing veteran suicide by empowering families, friends, and communities with practical tools and resources. WAV focuses on recognizing warning signs, promoting compassionate conversations about firearm safety, and connecting individuals to support—all grounded in lived experience and tailored to military and veteran communities. 

    Veteran Spouse Network partners with WAV to strengthen support networks for military and veteran families and foster community awareness. Together, we equip spouses, families, and supporters with the skills and confidence to recognize and respond to suicide risk, building a more resilient community.

    Learn More About WAV Find Safe Firearm Storage Resources by State

    Tools & Resources

    Suicide Prevention Toolkit

    Access vital information, practical tools, and key resources to support someone in crisis.

    View Now

    Safety Planning Worksheet

    Use the Stanley-Brown Safety Planning Worksheet to identify individual crisis warning signs, coping strategies, and trusted resources.

    View Now

    Additional Resources

    Explore more helpful suicide prevention materials on our dedicated resource page.

    View Now

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Have Additional Questions? For any inquiries about suicide prevention training, feel free to contact us at vsntraining@austin.utexas.edu

    No, suicide prevention training courses are not a therapeutic or clinical service.

    To receive your certificate of completion and a CEU submission form for state certification, please email us after completing the full training. You’ll be responsible for submitting the form to your state or licensing board for CEU credit approval.

    You can re-certify online anytime after 3 years through the MHFA Storefront and receive a new certificate upon completion. For details, visit mentalhealthfirstaid.org/recertification. 

    For the best experience, we recommend joining from a quiet, distraction-free space and arriving on time, as participants who join more than 15 minutes late may not be admitted. Some sessions require pre-work before joining. Be sure to have your Zoom link ready from your confirmation email.

    No, all events are completely free to attend. We are a grant-based program and believe in removing barriers to connection and support and are proud to offer these sessions at no cost to our community.

    No—you don’t need a military or veteran connection to participate. While VSN tailors many experiences for military-connected individuals, our suicide prevention trainings are open and available to everyone.

    If you're struggling, help is available. Call the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline:

    988

    If you’re a veteran or worried about a veteran, press one.