The Narrative

In continued efforts to explore lethal means safety and suicidality with cohesion, the following entries in this newsletter will pair components of a round of ammunition with risk factors that can increase suicidality. The aim of this exposition is not to be redundant but to examine the issue of suicide prevention and lethal means safety from fresh angles and perspectives, as with each new perspective is an insight gained, and insights gained lead to lives saved.

The Primer

Within a round of ammunition, four main components create a small mechanical and chemical device that holds immense power and force. These components are the primer, casing, powder, and bullet.

The primer is responsible for initiating the chain of events that cause the round to fire. When struck by the firing pin, the primer ignites with a small explosion, which in turn ignites the powder contained within the casing. This explosive reaction is channeled through the flash hole; a thin byway that connects the primer to the cavity within the casing wherein the powder lies.

The primer is the catalyst for a round of ammo to fire. Without a safe and properly functioning primer, the controlled explosion cannot commence through the body of the casing, thereby withholding the bullet from projecting.

The Risk

When equating one's primer within the context of suicidality, we consider anything that initiates the spark. Suicidal behavior can often be swift and explosive, triggered in a compulsive manner. But what serves as the catalyst for this explosion?

Typically, acute stress and underlying mental health crises can act as prerequisites for the emergence of suicidal behavior. These factors have been shown to increase suicidality at an aggregate level. Stress resulting from significant life changes, along with underlying conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, significantly elevates the risk of suicidal behavior.

Preventative Intervention

Viewing this metaphor through the lens of prevention highlights the importance of ongoing support, particularly during sudden shifts in a person's life or emotional stability. Such support is crucial to preventing the initiation of thoughts, feelings, or actions related to suicide.

Preventative intervention starts long before symptoms of suicidality emerge. By the time suicidal thoughts or behaviors become evident, the underlying challenges may have developed significantly and become more difficult to address. Early and proactive measures can mitigate risks and provide individuals with the necessary tools to cope with their struggles.

Local Initiatives and Involvements

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention 2025 EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN MESA COUNTY Register Here!

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST): September 18-19, November 6-7 This two-day workshop(16 hours) helps participants learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA): April 11, September 26, October 17, December 5 This eight (8) hour training teaches people how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults, how to offer and provide initial help, and how to guide a person toward appropriate care.

Youth Mental Health First Aid (Youth MHFA): April 18, August 29 This Six and half (6.5) hour training for adults who regularly interact with people ages 12-18. It introduces common mental health challenges, typical adolescent development, and plan for how to help in crisis and non-crisis situations

Soul Shop™: October 2 This 90-minute workshop equips faith community leaders and other people of faith to train their congregations to minister to those impacted by suicidal desperation.

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, call or text 988. The National Suicide Hotline is staffed around the clock with certified members of the American Association of Suicidology. Or the Crisis Text Line, text CO to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from a secure online platform.