Wellness, Health Promotion & Prevention

CONTACT INFORMATION: Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
703-559-3000 TTY 711
8221 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive
Fairfax, Virginia 22031
Raymond Paden
Manager

Lock & Talk - locking devices for medications and firearms

Photo of medication and firearm locksThe 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.

Lock and Talk is part of a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is being implemented by the Wellness, Health Promotion and Prevention program of the CSB. It is intended to:

  • Prevent suicides by restricting access to firearms and poisons during a mental health crisis.
  • Educate the community about how to recognize and respond to warning signs.
  • Encourage others to pass on knowledge.

Photo of drug deactivation/disposal bags
Drug deactivation/disposal kits

Promoting safe and responsible care of lethal means, while encouraging community conversations around mental wellness, are vital to our mission of suicide prevention and wellness promotion.

The Prevention team is offering free cable and trigger locks and locking medication boxes, as well as drug disposal kits. Gun locks and lock boxes include information on safe handling and messaging, and tips to secure firearms and medications.

The best strategy for protecting a person at risk is to remove firearms from the home until a mental health crisis is resolved, and lock up poisons and medications.

Contact our prevention team for more information about our Lock and Talk program. To learn more about the statewide initiative, visit lockandtalk.org.

Visit the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia website for more information about suicide prevention.

Fairfax Virtual Assistant