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Suicide Awareness Campaign
The Chesterfield Suicide Awareness and Prevention Coalition brings together organizations in Central Virginia who are working to educate residents about mental illness, risk factors for suicide and support resources within our community.
By educating people of all ages, we are widening the safety net in our community so we can
- recognize the warning signs of suicide
- take the appropriate steps to help the person in crisis
- identify the appropriate help.
Lock and Talk is part of a statewide comprehensive approach to suicide prevention.
It is intended to:
- Prevent suicides by limiting access to firearms, medications and other potentially dangerous items during a mental health crisis.
- Educate the community about how to recognize and respond to warning signs of suicide.
LOCK
Means safety is the most effective method of preventing suicides from occurring. It is about limiting access to lethal means for a person during a time of crisis.
TALK
Talking about the problem of suicide can save lives, reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviors.
Talking also helps the healing process for survivors.
If Someone is in Crisis
ASK THE QUESTION: "Are you thinking suicide?"
THEN SHOW YOU CARE BY:
- Saying "I care about you and want to help."
- Connecting them to safety resources.
Teaching people in our community how to have these life promoting conversations is vital to our mission.
We promote safe and responsible care of guns, medications, and other means that can harm.
Reduce easy access by locking or removing potentially dangerous items including the following:
- Firearms or other weapons – Lock them securely using a gun safe or trigger or cable lock.
- Lock and monitor all medications due to potential for abuse and overdose.
- Alcohol can increase the risk for a person with thoughts of suicide to act on them. Alcohol impairs judgement and can increase the lethality of a medication overdose.
- Reduce access to other household items or locations that may pose a threat.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call Chesterfield Mental Health Emergency Services at 804-748-6356 or National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
For more information, visit Lock and Talk
Additional Resources
Resource Booklet
The coalition has created a resource booklet for those who want to learn more about ways to prevent suicide and warning signs.
The booklet can be obtained by
- attending coalition presentations and events
- calling 804-378-0035
- emailing facesorg1@verizon.net
Educational Program
“Raise Your Voice about Suicide Prevention,” was produced by the coalition to teach residents how to recognize the warning signs of suicide and the steps to take to help the person in crisis.
The program is provided free to religious, civic and other groups in Chesterfield County. To schedule a presentation for your organization, call Jill Weiseman at 804-378-0035.
Support Groups for Survivors
- National Alliance on Mental Illness of Central Virginia Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group
- Morrissett Community Care Survivor of Suicide Loss Support Group
- Full Circle Suicide Loss Group
- AFSP Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency contact Chesterfield Crisis Intervention at 804-748-6356.
Crisis Intervention
call anytime
☎ 804-748-6356
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Kelly Fried
Executive Director, Community Services Board
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Mental Health Support Services
Physical Address
6801 Lucy Corr Boulevard
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 92
Chesterfield, VA 23832-0092
Phone: 804-748-1227Fax: 804-768-9283
TDD Phone: 804-768-7200
Hours
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.