American Legion helping tackle veteran suicide in Idaho

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — War isn’t the only thing that has taken the lives of thousands of our soldiers. Suicide is the most deadly.

“We’ve lost more veterans to suicide than we have in any of the wars,” said Abe Abrahamson, the department adjutant for Idaho American Legion.

Abrahamson is a veteran himself and has seen this firsthand. That’s why he helped with a new program called Be The One.

“Be the one stands for being the one to ask questions. Be the ones that sit and listen. Be the one to be there for someone who needs help.” he said.

The program is made up of nearly 300 people that are organized into suicide prevention response teams.

“When a 911 phone call comes in, or we’re working with 988 now to get set up with them when they get a phone call they can reach out to us, and we can dispatch a team to that address,” Abrahamson said.

The team is comprised of three veterans who work to de-escalate the situation.

“Our goal from when we arrive at the scene is to leave with that veteran and take them to the help that they need.”

Not only that, but they also provide peer-to-peer support.

“Their support system is brothers and sisters in arms. People that were there when they were there fighting for their lives, and now, when you get out of the military you’ve cut all that,” Abrahamson said.

So far, the program has helped 31 veterans who have contemplated suicide,

“We’ve worked with them, got them to their treatment or buddied them up if it was loneliness issue, and got them coming around.”

Abrahamson encourages everyone to help prevent suicide and be the one.

“Suicide is such a negative word. You hear it, and you see people just cringe. But to our friends and neighbors and whatnot, don’t be afraid. Just flat out ask,” he said.

For more on how you can get involved, click HERE.