Youth Suicide Prevention - Locks Save Lives
The teen
brain is still developing so teens are not always able to make the best
choices. This puts them at higher risk
for many types of injuries. Teens can
engage in risky behaviors and react to seemingly small stressors. At any time they may be depressed or make
impulsive decisions with deadly results.
If you’re concerned that your teen may be suicidal, there are steps you
can take to help keep them safe.
Practical
Steps:
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at
1-800-273-8255 or text “HOME” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 for support
and to find out about resources in your area.
- Reduce easy access to dangerous substances at
home. That includes:
- Firearms- Because firearms are the most lethal
among suicide methods, it is particularly important that you remove them until
things improve at home, or second best, lock them very securely.
- Medications- Don’t keep lethal doses at home if possible. Be particularly aware of keeping prescription
painkillers (such as oxycodone and methadone) locked up both because of their
lethality and their potential for abuse.
- Alcohol- Alcohol can both increase the chance
that a teen makes an unwise choice, like attempting suicide, and increase the
lethality of a drug overdose. Keep only
small quantities at home and secure safely to prevent access.
If you need
a lock box to secure potential lethal means and are not able to afford one,
please email [email protected]
for additional information.
Resources
Franklin
County Suicide Prevention Coalition (www.franklincountyspc.org)
American Academy
of Pediatrics, Ohio Chapter (www.ohioaap.org/firearmsafety)
Means Matter
(https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/means-matter/)
Suicide
Prevention Resource Center (https://www.sprc.org/)
Suicide
Prevention Lifeline (https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org)
This work is funded either in whole or in part by a grant
awarded by the Ohio Department of Health as a sub-award of a grant issued by
Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grant under the Injury Prevention
Program by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, grant award number 1
NB01OT009265-01-00.