When our communities have access to the right support before a crisis occurs, lives can be saved. One of the keys to prevention is strengthening protective factors such as access to mental health care, social connections, and positive coping skills for veterans, families, caregivers, and friends. It's also important to reduce risk factors, including easy access to firearms or certain medications, as well as stressful life events like divorce, job loss, or the death of a loved one. The VA S.A.V.E. Training, through U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Suicide Prevention, provides tools to help us act with care and compassion when you encounter signs of suicide, and you can gain confidence to have tough conversations about suicide risk with your Veteran. Suicide is preventable. VA S.A.V.E. Training develops a skill you don’t want to use but you are glad to have it if ever needed. The acronym “SAVE” summarizes the steps needed to take an active and valuable role in suicide prevention. PPT Presentation.