1) Restrict Unauthorized Access To Your Firearms - Ensure that firearms are not accessible to children or unauthorized adults. All firearms that are stored or kept in the home are to be stored in secure containers or affixed with an approved tamper proof lock (e.g. cable lock or trigger lock) only accessible to authorized persons.
2) Be Aware of Suicide Indicators - Primary indicators include talking about suicide, isolations and withdrawal, sadness, depression and hopelessness. When you add environmental access to lethal means of committing suicide, such as access to firearms or potentially toxic prescription mediations, etc., the risk of a suicidal act increases.
Other potential risk factors and warning signs may include:
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Noticeable changes in eating/ sleeping habits /personal hygiene.
- Obsession with death (e.g., in music, poetry, artwork).
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Change in mood (e.g., depression, irritability).
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Alcohol and / or drug use or abuse.
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Giving away possessions / suddenly making a will.
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Finalizing personal affairs.
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Coworkers, family, friends are concerned about the person
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Previous suicide attempts.
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Committed or attempted suicide of a close family member.
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Past psychiatric hospitalization.
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Recent loss of a close relationship to separation, divorce or death.
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Poor social skills to include difficulty interacting with others and making friends.
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Violence in the home or social environment.
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Work-related problems.
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Serious medical problems.
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Poor school performance.
Crisis Hotlines
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please call one of the 24-hour crisis hotline numbers below right away:
- Samaritans Massachusetts Statewide Hotline: 1-877-870-HOPE (4673)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255); Press # 1 if you are a Veteran
Figure 6A - Source: Massachusetts Violent Death Reporting System, Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Massachusetts Hospital Discharge Database, Massachusetts Center for Health Information and Analysis.
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