To help prevent firearm-related unintentional deaths and suicides among children and teens, the Ohio AAP is launching a statewide effort to save lives by “Reversing the Trend of Irreversible Actions” through the Store It Safe initiative.
Store It Safe is poised to save lives by identifying teens with mental health concerns, providing appropriate interventions, and creating barriers to the most lethal means for suicide, like firearms and prescription medications, that can aid in this fatal action. We know that knowledge is power and by increasing the knowledge of pediatricians, other healthcare providers, and school-based professionals, this program will improve the recognition of adolescent suicide risk through depression screening at every doctor’s visit in order to capture at-risk teens early. It is also important to encourage families with children and adolescents to lock up any firearms, medications, and alcohol to provide a barrier to these lethal means.
Let’s work together to put a barrier between contemplation and action by providing the resources and educational tools necessary for healthcare providers and parents to reverse this fatal trend. You can be involved in many ways, including:
If you have questions on Store It Safe, please visit http://ohioaap.org/storeitsafe/ or contact Hayley Southworth at hsouthworth@ohioaap.org.