CALM Clinical Workshop
Length: 4 hours
Intended Audience: Clinicians, mental health professionals, or those in related fields who have previous suicide prevention training
Description: CALM Clinical Workshops are designed to introduce those providing counseling services to the rationale of means safety and teach them how to plan for, initiate and carry out effective conversations with clients and their families about reducing access to lethal means – especially firearms and medications – in times of suicide risk. Workshops are typically three hours in length and can accommodate up to 30 participants in person or 24 virtually. Workshops include several opportunities to practice using the strategies and language that is taught.
3.5 CEUs may be available for addiction professionals, mental health professionals, and other professions. Reach out to info@ccspp.org for more details.
CALM Conversations
Length: 90 – 120 minutes
Intended Audience: General Public (adults)
Description: The effectiveness of CALM is not limited to clinical interactions. Many people at risk for suicide do not ever seek or receive formal mental or physical health care for these issues. Fortunately, CALM can be implemented by anyone who is concerned about a relative, friend, or someone with whom they work. These workshops add specific CALM strategies to typical gatekeeper training and also offer participants the opportunity to observe and practice the techniques. If your work frequently puts you in touch with people who are at their lowest–perhaps you’re a defense or divorce attorney, tend bar, serve eviction notices, teach court-ordered drunk driving classes–this workshop may help you save lives.
During a suicidal crisis, storing firearms outside of the home is the safest option.
While Pennsylvania doesn’t have an official firearm storage map, the websites listed below provide national maps of businesses that mention firearm storage on their website or other listing.
Note: Map of businesses willing to store firearms; may not be recently updated, so call ahead before heading to one and to learn about any fees or rules.
Worried About a Veteran provides a list of legal considerations, broken down by state, for storing firearms with someone you know.
If you notice a friend or loved one is struggling with their mental health, having a compassionate conversation to check in with them and provide support, while also talking about how they could adjust their firearms storage, may save their life. Safe storage creates time and distance during a suicidal crisis. Time and distance saves lives.
Want to feel more prepared to have these conversations? Attend a CALM Conversation to learn more about lethal means safety and practice talking about safely storing firearms and medications.
CCSPP offers two versions of CALM through our roster of Authorized CALM Trainers, one option geared towards the general public (CALM Conversations) and the other geared towards clinicians and others working in the field (CALM Clinical Workshop).
To request a CALM training or learn more, please email us at info@ccspp.org.