Forefront, a pioneering suicide prevention program sponsored jointly by state legislators, health care professionals, pro-gun activists and gun dealers, officially launched its Safer Homes public education campaign Sept. 10 at Franklin Field in Aberdeen in Washington State’s Grays Harbor County.
Dr. Jennifer Stuber, a professor at Washington University and a founder of a suicide prevention organization, had decided that was a good place to launch a statewide educational campaign since Grays Harbor County’s suicide rate is higher than average and many households there contain guns and/or opioid medications.
Stuber was motivated to start the Forefront group when her husband used a firearm to take his own life in 2011.
“I’m a health care professional, and I knew there were signs, but was afraid to have that conversation,” she said.
Pro-gun organizations, including the Second Amendment Foundation and the National Rifle Association, as well as licensed firearms dealers, are behind Forefront’s efforts.
The key, said former 24th District Representative Lynn Kessler, who is on the Forefront advisory board, is learning how to see the signs of depression and removing access to guns and prescription drugs if an individual appears to want to harm themselves. Kessler said the emphasis was not to restrict access to weapons but to simply keep them from the hands of people who may want a gun to harm themselves, they were quickly on board.
Ilan Kariv, owner of Grays Harbor Guns in Aberdeen, is also a firm supporter of Forefront, as are most gun dealers in the state.
“We are the gatekeepers of the gun industry,” he said, adding that training like that provided by Forefront can help him and others like him keep guns out of the hands of someone purchasing the gun to harm themselves.
Visitors to the inaugural event were asked to fill out an evaluation form, then were sent to various sections were volunteers could offer what they need. Free prescription pill bottle locks were given away free, as were firearm trigger locks.
Those who need help and are considering suicide can call the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 800-273-8255 or chat online at crisischat.org
