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Suicide Prevention: Why Firearm Safety Matters

June 2, 2023
Educational Resources

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Suicide prevention why firearm safety matters

Vermont Suicide Facts: - Suicide is the 9th leading cause of death in our state. - 52% of suicides are caused by a firearm. - 88-91% of firearm deaths are suicides. - Sources: o Vermont Vital Statistics. (2020) o Vermont Department of Health. (2023). Firearm Safety. Healthvermont.gov

Vermont Firearm Facts - Having access to firearms at home increases the risk of dying by suicide. - 44% of all Vermont households store at least one firearm in or around the home. - 49% of those households store firearms locked and unloaded. - Sources: o Vermont Department of Health. Suicide Prevention. (May 2023). & Firearm Storage Safety. (Jan. 2023).

Lethal Means Safety - "Lethal means safety" is a way of reducing one's suicide risk by limiting access to lethal means. - In this case, "lethal means" are any object that could cause death (e.g. medications, firearms, sharp objects, etc.). - Sources: o US Department of Veterans Affairs. Lethal Means Safety & Suicide Prevention. (December 2021).

Accessing Gunlocks - Free gunlocks are available at these Howard Center locations: o 138 Pine Street, Burlington, VT o 300 Flynn Ave, Burlington, VT o 208 Flynn Ave, Burlington, VT - For more info, contact First Call for Chittenden County: 802-488-7777 - Other gunlock distribution sites in Chittenden County include: o Essex Free Library, 1 Browns River Rd, Essex Jct., VT o Fletcher Free Library, 235 College St., Burlington, VT o For more Vermont gunlock distribution sites, visit: justice.gov/usao-vt/gunsafe-vt

Firearm Storage Safety - The Vermont Department of Health says: - Firearms should be unloaded and stored in a locked and secure location. - Ammunition should be locked and stored separately from firearms. - Gunlocks can be used to help keep firearms secure.

We Can Save Lives - It's important to remember that there is hope and suicide is preventable! Means safety is the only suicide prevention strategy that has consistently reduced suicide rates for all communities. If we work together to make our environment safer, we can save lives!

Suicide Hotlines and Crisis Information - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or text 988 - First Call for Chittenden County: 802-488-7777 - Trevor Project: LGBTQ Crisis Lifeline: 1-866-488-7368 - Veterans Crisis Line: Text 838255 - Crisis Text Lifeline: Text VT to 741741

View more Suicide Prevention resources >>