Lethal Means Safety (Firearms)
Between 2011 and 2021, ninety-seven people died by suicide in Eagle County. Of those, 54.6% (53) were firearm suicides. As a community we must come together to address how we reduce access to firearms at a time of mental health crisis.
We at SpeakUp ReachOut firmly believe that this is NOT a second amendment conversation, but instead, one of safety and due diligence.
Temporarily removing lethal means from someone in suicidal crisis greatly reduces the likelihood of that person dying by suicide, because it gives at-risk individuals something they crucially need: time.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, research shows that most people in suicidal crisis who don't have easy access to a lethal suicide method will not simply find another way to kill themselves. Removing access to firearms and other lethal means allows time for both the moment of intense suicidal crisis to pass, and for someone to intervene with potentially lifesaving mental health support and resources.
SpeakUp ReachOut is committed to implementing safe storage initiatives for firearms, as it will be associated with increased safe storage rates, fewer firearm injuries and fatalities.
To do this, SpeakUp ReachOut is working with local firearm retailers, ranges, instructors and law enforcement agencies through the Colorado Gun Shop Project (Spanish) to education firearm owners about proper safe storage and the new 11th Commandment of Firearm Safety:
Firearm Suicide Awareness (Spanish) training at workplaces and in the community are aimed to help the community understand the necessity of safe storage of firearms, how to report a lost or stolen firearm and the resources available in our community when in a mental health crisis.
If you would like to schedule a Firearm Suicide Awareness presentation your workplace or organization please email info@speakupreachout.org.
Together, we can reduce incidents of firearm suicide in Eagle County.
Additional Colorado Resources
It only takes a moment. Youth-led safe storage PSA from Larimer County.
Lock2Live.org. Firearm storage decision making tool.
Colorado Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative. University of Colorado, Department of Emergency Medicine.
Firearm Safety. Colorado Attorney General.
National resources for Firearm Suicide Prevention
Department of Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention is Everyone’s Business: A Toolkit for Safe Firearm Storage in Your Community
Mental Health Support Resources
Your Hope Center: 24/7 Support Line 970-306-4673; Community Stabilization Program
Mountain Strong: Find a Therapist and Olivia’s Fund
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988