Limiting Lethal Means Saves Lives 

The crisis that leads to suicide is intensely painful, but often very short-lived. This is one of the reasons it’s important to secure easily accessible suicide means. When someone suffers from suicidal ideation, removing or locking up lethal means (drugs, firearms, etc.) can help save a life. Hopefully, if lethal means are harder to obtain, the patient’s crisis will end before suicidal ideation turns into actual suicide. Suicide – How long does the crisis last? | Rush Memorial Hospital

While family members often realize the importance of locking up guns and medications at the home of the patient, however, they may be reluctant to suggest that friends and relatives do the same thing in their own homes.  

Leaving the means of suicide easily available in the homes of friends and family could lead a patient to use the gun or prescription of a loved one when making a suicide attempt. While it can make for an awkward conversation, it’s worth the trouble to ask that these means be secured as well.  

Limiting “lethal means” doesn’t need to last forever, but in the short term, it can make all the difference.    Reduce Access to Means of Suicide | Suicide Prevention Resource Center (sprc.org)