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Childhood Injury Prevention

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Youth Suicide Prevention - Locks Save Lives

Locks Save LivesThe 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.