POST FALLS — Newly equipped with six questions to assess risk for suicidal ideation, people at Post Falls Post Legion 143 learned Monday how to connect loved ones to crucial resources.  

The Columbia Protocol mantra is simple: “Just ask: You could save a life.” 

“We want to normalize seeking help,” Columbia Lighthouse Project trainer Brad Lanta said. “Seeking help should be seen as a sign of strength.” 

While the three sessions throughout the day focused on veteran issues and how to build rapport, the training can be applied to anyone.

According to data from the CDC, there were 6,407 veteran suicides in 2022 and there have been 22 consecutive years with 6,000-plus veteran deaths by suicide.  

Veterans at most risk are often dealing with a major life transition, relationship issues and emotional pain or physical pain.  

Ask questions, show interest in what factors are feeling overwhelming and build up community supports like a coffee meet-up as a check-in system for people feeling less stable or experiencing a loss of purpose, the speaker said

The Columbia Lighthouse Project can be used by any adult to assess suicide risk and tailor resources based on responses through a phone app. 

Most of the time when people are contemplating taking their own life, they just want the pain they are experiencing to stop, Lanta said, noting one case where “anxiety was wracking his whole body.”      

Lanta said that many people express not wanting to be a burden to their family.  

If they get warning signs that something's wrong, he suggests building rapport and staying with them. 

The most important thing to do is to keep calm.

Lanta said adding time and steps to temporarily delay access to weapons or medications when they are considering taking their own life can save them in the long run. 

A question during the afternoon session went into creative solutions to separate a person considering suicide from firearms temporarily. 

“What if they take my guns? I won’t say anything else to you,” was the response received after trying to ask about their mental health.  

“Tell them ‘I care about you and I want to make sure you’re safe,'” Lanta suggested.

Entities like Panhandle Health also offer lockboxes to store weapons or medication if those are methods the individual is considering.   

In one rare case, Lanta heard of a creative solution where a person took a firing pin from their friend’s gun.    

Lanta said 988 helps get veterans signed up through the VA if they’re one of the 60% of veterans who aren’t using the VA benefits afforded to them.  

“You’re helping others just by registering; you get more services for the VA by registering,” Lanta said. 

While some veterans feel they don’t want to take up resources that could be used by others, Lanta said using their benefits may alleviate stressors in a veteran’s life faster. 

By opening the door to more conversation with helpful members of the community, it’s easier to make it a warm hand-off to another resource rather than a cold call to a stranger. 

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available for free and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For life-threatening emergencies, dial 911 immediately.

Access the Columbia Protocol here.