Locks Help Prevent Suicides

A Harvard study on mental health recently revealed that the rate of suicide is higher in a home that includes a gun. 

Thursday the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office donated 100 gun locks to the Muskingum County Suicide Prevention Coalition.

Studies show that in the course of the day nine U.S. children die because of gun fire, some by their own hands.

"We know for the vast majority of young people and adults who think about suicide they probably wanted a way out but nobody reached out to them," said Youth Services Coordinator of Six Counties Jim Still-Pepper.

Still-Pepper said most parents who have guns in their home never talk to their children about how dangerous the weapons are and this safety lock can be a life saving step.

"If the parents aren’t even thinking about the connection between the gun and their children’s safety, we can’t expect the children to do that," said Still-Pepper. "A simple step like a gun lock, placed on there protects our children from harm."

For those parents who think their child may be considering sucide, Still-Pepper said to first ask them if they are considering it and then connect them with people that can help discuss their problems.