Suicide Prevention Education Course: Owners Partnering to Secure | NSSF.org

Suicide is preventable and we all play a role. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Suicide Prevention has developed the Suicide Prevention Education Course: Owners Partnering to Secure (SPEC OPS) training to help firearm retail and range owners navigate the topic of suicide prevention and be prepared to assist customers when suicide is a concern. This training uses VA S.A.V.E. (a brief course that helps you act with care and compassion if you come across a Veteran who is in crisis or having thoughts of suicide) as an educational foundation and expands on specific, evidence-informed topics relevant to range and retailer operators/owners.

Learn about suicide warning signs, what to do if a customer is having thoughts of suicide, resources, how to address suicide prevention from a business perspective, and how to appropriately prepare postvention resources and support. SPEC OPS was developed with Veteran and owner/operator input and expertise, ensuring the topics discussed are directly relevant to your business, customer service, and safety concerns.

If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans CrisisLine to receive 24/7 confidential support. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.