The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) has a limited supply of free locking medication boxes and trigger locks that fit a wide variety of firearms. This regional "Lock and Talk Northern Virginia" safety program is a collaborative initiative of the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia (SPAN).
Studies show that when firearms are accessible, individuals are more than three times likely to die by suicide, and that most people who die by suicide use firearms (61%) or poisons (19%). An essential strategy for preventing suicide for a person in crisis is to limit access to firearms and poisons, including medications that can be misused. This is known as lethal means restriction. It can also help prevent accidental drug overdoses.
Talking about the problem of suicide can save lives, reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviors. Lock your medications and firearms, and talk safety.
