Suicide Awareness Campaign

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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.
  1. Lock and Talk
  2. Veteran Suicide Awareness
  3. Teen Suicide Awareness
  4. Resources 
  5. Coalition 

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