Lock & Talk Virginia, Suicide Prevention Council Roanoke Valley and Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare announce the kickoff of the Lock and Talk campaign in the Roanoke Valley on Friday, Oct. 12, at 1:00 p.m. at the CoLab, 1327 Grandin Rd SW.
Limiting access to lethal means for a person in crisis is an essential strategy for preventing suicide. We believe talking about the problem of suicide helps to save lives and reduce stigma. We believe that talking encourages help seeking behaviors and helps survivors in their personal healing. Promoting safe and responsible care of lethal means while encouraging community conversations around mental wellness is vital to the mission of preventing suicide and promoting wellness.
The “Lock” in the Lock & Talk campaign represents the idea that means safety is the most effective method of preventing suicides from occurring. “Means safety” is about limiting access to lethal means for a person in crisis. The campaign will promote the safe and responsible care of guns, medications, and other means to harm.
The “Talk” in the Lock & Talk campaign represents the concept that talking about the problem of suicide saves lives and reduces stigma. Talking encourages getting help. Talking helps heal the survivors. Teaching people in the Roanoke Valley how to have these life promoting conversations is vital to our mission.
During the press conference at the CoLab on Grandin, the Lock & Talk campaign in the Roanoke Valley will be introduced and the Lock & Talk video media will premier.
For more information contact: Ray Bemis, coordinator Suicide Prevention Council Roanoke Valley at (540) 982-1427.
