121
121
0
Your buddy calls you late at night and tells you about all of the negativity going on in their life. As you listen to them describe his emotional distress, you pick up on some clues that lead you to think that this is a crisis situation. You also remember that they are a firearm owner. You want to ask about their guns because you know it’s not a safe situation under the circumstances, but you’re concerned that they will either hang up on you or, worse, that you’ll put an idea in his mind. What do you do?
People in distress can go from 0 to 60 very fast. Somewhere between 25% and 40% of individuals who attempt suicide make the final decision to act within 5 minutes of the suicide attempt. Nearly 70% make the final decision to act within the hour before their attempt. Easy access to potentially lethal methods for suicide—especially firearms—during periods of intense emotional distress increases the likelihood of bad outcomes such as suicide.
Temporarily limiting someone’s access to firearms and other possible methods for suicide during these periods can reduce the likelihood of a bad outcome, however, it’s similar to how we try to prevent our friends from getting in a car crash when they’ve been drinking. We know that the risk of a car crash increases when someone has been drinking. Because of this, we temporarily restrict access to driving—typically by taking away someone’s keys—when they’ve been drinking. When the person sobers up, we give them their keys back; we don’t prohibit them from driving ever again.
We can prevent suicides using the same mindset. When someone is under a lot of stress, having easy access to a firearm or other methods for suicide can be dangerous. During these times, we can offer to temporarily store a friend’s firearms, medications, or other possible suicide methods until things get better, just like we hold on to their keys when they’ve been drinking.
Here’s an example of how you can raise the issue:
It sounds like things haven’t been going well for you lately. I’m worried about you. Would you be willing to let me hang on to your guns/medications for a while until things get better?
If they don’t feel comfortable with this, consider asking them if they’d be willing to change how they store their firearms or medications instead:
What are your thoughts about storing your guns/medications in a safe or locking them up in another way?
Talking with a friend about locking up or temporarily limiting their access to a firearm or another possible method for suicide can be a difficult topic to discuss, but it can be a simple and effective strategy for helping them get through tough times.
[Video: https://vimeo.com/175761640]
*To learn more about the National Center of Veterans Studies programs visit: https://rly.pt/NCVS
People in distress can go from 0 to 60 very fast. Somewhere between 25% and 40% of individuals who attempt suicide make the final decision to act within 5 minutes of the suicide attempt. Nearly 70% make the final decision to act within the hour before their attempt. Easy access to potentially lethal methods for suicide—especially firearms—during periods of intense emotional distress increases the likelihood of bad outcomes such as suicide.
Temporarily limiting someone’s access to firearms and other possible methods for suicide during these periods can reduce the likelihood of a bad outcome, however, it’s similar to how we try to prevent our friends from getting in a car crash when they’ve been drinking. We know that the risk of a car crash increases when someone has been drinking. Because of this, we temporarily restrict access to driving—typically by taking away someone’s keys—when they’ve been drinking. When the person sobers up, we give them their keys back; we don’t prohibit them from driving ever again.
We can prevent suicides using the same mindset. When someone is under a lot of stress, having easy access to a firearm or other methods for suicide can be dangerous. During these times, we can offer to temporarily store a friend’s firearms, medications, or other possible suicide methods until things get better, just like we hold on to their keys when they’ve been drinking.
Here’s an example of how you can raise the issue:
It sounds like things haven’t been going well for you lately. I’m worried about you. Would you be willing to let me hang on to your guns/medications for a while until things get better?
If they don’t feel comfortable with this, consider asking them if they’d be willing to change how they store their firearms or medications instead:
What are your thoughts about storing your guns/medications in a safe or locking them up in another way?
Talking with a friend about locking up or temporarily limiting their access to a firearm or another possible method for suicide can be a difficult topic to discuss, but it can be a simple and effective strategy for helping them get through tough times.
[Video: https://vimeo.com/175761640]
*To learn more about the National Center of Veterans Studies programs visit: https://rly.pt/NCVS
University of Utah
Safety
Stress
PTSD
Edited 6 y ago
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 38
1
1
0
When is it appropriate to take someone's Constitutional and God given right to protect themselves away from them? I understand protecting someone who you think may harm themselves but the phrase shall not be infringed upon has been trampled upon a lot lately and a Veteran is the last person who should have any rights stripped away from them after they offered their lives for their Country. I'm not saying we shouldn't protect our Veterans every way we can just saying we have to be careful when it comes to violating their rights and these stupid red flag laws civilians are trying to push.
(1)
(0)
TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan
I completely agree with you, NEVER force anyone to give up their rights. That is what we and those who have served before us fought for.
(2)
(0)
FN Randy Bohlke
TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan Thank you Annabelle I was starting to feel kinda lonely standing out here by myself.
(0)
(0)
FN Randy Bohlke
TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan I am also a very big advocate of the 21 plus 1 a day and I do understand we need to take certain precautions with people who may be mentally unstable and people who have a history of domestic violence but I still think when we look back at who our founding fathers where, IE a bunch of thugs and outlaws of their time I believe they would have had a problem with us taking any type of firearm from an American Citizen today.
(0)
(0)
TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan
FN Randy Bohlke - You aren't alone. Even when we agree or don't agree on topics, I'll be here. I don't reach out very often, but let's make sure we keep in touch. This is what I resect about RallyPoint has done here. We can stay connected even if we are miles apart.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
This assumes it's legal in every jurisdictions for one person to hand their firearms over to another person and for the other person to take possession of them. In many jurisdictions, one or both of the people involved would be breaking the law.
(1)
(0)
TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan
You are absolutely correct. This is why it is only one of many suggestions. I pull my info from personal and professional experience. Thanks for sharing.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Taken this call a few times. ASIST is a great course if you can get the training.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
0
0
0
I dealt with this situation once at the VA hospital where I worked...I was walking down the hallway and saw an elderly couple with their adult son in a wheelchair...I knew they were distressed and so was their son who was hanging his head...I asked what was wrong and they told me their son was not doing well, he was also intoxicated, and they had taken him to the county hospital mental health department but they would not take him because he was intoxicated...then then brought him to the VA hospital and they were told the same thing and they were afraid of what he might do to them or himself if he went home. I went upstairs to the counselors offices and saw a mental health counselor in his office with the door open so I went in and told him about the couple. He started giving me reasons he could not help them and being familiar with the Hospital Chief of Staff I told him that if he didn't take time to talk with the couple and their son that I would go to the Chief of Staff and let him know that nothing had been done. I do not know the outcome as it was not in my "grade level" to know what happened but I was not called into anyone's office as a result of my conversation with the couple, their son or the mental health counselor. I have personally dealt with a friend through his struggle with alcohol and being there for him has helped him but he does not have any firearms so no worry there...I recognize he has had instances in his military career that bother him and needs someone who understands, as much as I can, but being a military brat helps. Not sure if this is the right response but I have been in a crisis situation myself and know how desperate one feels when they have lost hope and someone caring and understanding is a big part of dealing with despair...!!
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Also remember 14 of the 17 VETERANS suicides (no active duty) are over age 50, no longer use the VA and are still most often Vietnam Veterans
Post 9/11 w PTSD do have suicidal ideation but seldom act on it. They have the fewest death by suicide
Post 9/11 w PTSD do have suicidal ideation but seldom act on it. They have the fewest death by suicide
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Also:
In as much as a Soldier's training includes "how to kill," & for that matter, additionally, Medical Troops also learn A&P (Anatomy & Physiology), the Soldier would be knowledgeable on how to make a kill or suicide a "first time go."
In as much as a Soldier's training includes "how to kill," & for that matter, additionally, Medical Troops also learn A&P (Anatomy & Physiology), the Soldier would be knowledgeable on how to make a kill or suicide a "first time go."
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I think we all or at least most would have the inclination to think that mentioning the firearm might lead them that way. Its almost like you are affirming their decision...
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
For the love of Pete, it's not about talking to the individual, it's all about LISTENING!!!!
(0)
(0)
TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan
Talking to a veteran who may be in crisis | RallyPoint
Your buddy calls you late at night, wanting to hang out because he or she doesn’t want to be alone. While talking they make a few comments that stand out to you: I mess everything up; I’m worthless; people would be better off if I wasn’t around anymore. You ask them if they’re having thoughts about suicide, and they so “no” or they refuse to answer. They might not be saying they want to kill themselves, but they are very clearly distressed and...
(0)
(0)
MSG Andrew Whitish
Ever tasted the blue steal of a revolvers muzzle? The sulfur taste of burnt cordite? I have buried many friends from both KIA as well as self inflicted. If they call, they are looking for help, regardless of what is spoken. It's the still water that makes the choice that the pain is too much. I am not of the opinion that the act is selfish. It is a choice as a result of a process, how ever flawed we may feel about it.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google