NATIONAL GUARD July 2023

CONTACT US

For more information on lethal means safety or other wellness topics, email 

us at: ng.ncr.ngb.mbx.integrated-prevention-branch@army.mil

HOLISTIC WELLNESS CHALLENGE

FACTS & FIGURES: DID YOU KNOW?

CHALLENGE your Service members to adopt at least one of the 

recommended resources to safely store firearms and medications

• 72% of National Guard suicide deaths involved firearms1

• 69% of National Guard suicides by firearm involved personally 

owned weapons2

• 63% of National Guard suicide attempts involved poisoning1

• 60% of military spouse suicide deaths involved firearms1

• 55% of military dependent suicide deaths involved firearms1

There are many misconceptions 

about suicide, suicide risk, and 

the potential impact of easily 

accessible firearms. Knowing the 

truth and taking the appropriate 

action can save lives. 

MYTH: If you remove access 

to one lethal method, a person 

at risk for suicide will find an 

alternative method.

FACT: 90% of people who survive 

an attempt do not die by suicide 

at a later point.3 That is because 

those in acute distress do not 

typically have a back-up plan. 

MYTH: Suicide is always the result 

of long-term planning.

FACT: It can take less than 5-10 

minutes between thinking about 

suicide and acting.3 Putting time 

and distance between a person in 

distress and a means for suicide 

gives them a moment to change 

their mind. 

MYTH: An unlocked firearm in the 

home makes it safer and does not 

increase the risk of suicide.

FACT: Violent home break-ins are 

rare. Access to a firearm in the 

home increases suicide risk by 4 

to 6 times for everyone in the 

family.3

SETTING THE RECORD 

STRAIGHT

LETHAL 

MEANS 

SAFETY

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.

Confidential crisis support is available 24/7 by dialing:

QUICK ACTION SAVES LIVES
What does it mean?

• Lethal means safety involves securing firearms, 

medications, and other methods of self-harm.

Why does it matter?

• The time between thinking about suicide and acting 

is often short; extending that time could save a life by 

allowing for intervention and reconsideration. 

• More die by suicide via firearm than by combat, accident, 

homicide, and other means combined.

• Suicide attempts involving medications are the most 

common method of non-fatal suicide attempts. 

What can you do?

• Remind Service members that quick action saves lives and crisis support is available 24/7.

• Foster a culture that encourages safe storage of firearms and medications and promotes support seeking behaviors. 

• Encourage Service members to contact their VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator (link below) for a free gun lock.

• Reach out to Resilience, Risk Reduction, and Suicide Prevention Coordinators (ARNG) or Directors of Psychological 

Health (ANG) if assistance is needed with obtaining gun locks. 

• Recommend using medication lock boxes, which are available online and in many pharmacies.

• Urge Service members to safely dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired medications. 

• Correct common misconceptions regarding lethal means safety.

• Talk about how Service members can protect themselves and their families from harm.

ENCOURAGE SAFE STORAGE

The contents of this document are for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

REFERENCES:

1. DoD Annual Report on Suicide in the Military 2021 http://www.dspo.mil

2. DoDSER Department of Defense Suicide Event Report 2020 https://health.mil 

3. Prevention of Suicide by Firearm: A Communication Guide for Military Leaders and Support Providers https://www.dspo.mil

SPOTLIGHT: PROJECT SAFEGUARD (PSG)

• Peer-to-peer intervention program that provides safe storage training, counseling, and gun locks for National Guard 

members to protect themselves, fellow Service members, and their families.

• Since January 2023, nearly 200 Service members have been trained in Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, and Nevada.

• Initial evaluation suggests that participants are 40% more likely to securely store personally owned firearms.

• For more information, email: ng.ncr.ngb-arng.mbx.ngb-j1-partnerships@army.mil

RESOURCES TO RECOMMEND

Watch a one-minute video on lethal means safety https://www.dspo.mil/Portals/113/In%20Our%20

Nature%201%20min%20%20COLORGRADE%20NOVEMBER%20EDIT.mp4

Review lethal means safety resources for tips and conversation starters 

https://www.dspo.mil/Tools/Download-Library/LethalMeansSafety

Take the free Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) Training 

https://sprc.org/online-courses

Locate the nearest Veterans Affairs (VA) Suicide Prevention Coordinator and request a free gun lock 

https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/find-resources/local-resources

Search for year round medication disposal locations near you 

https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal

NGB is expanding its partnership with the Department 

of Veterans Affairs to make free gun locks more easily 

accessible. Since February 2023, 2,400 gun locks 

have been sent to Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, 

Montana, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and Wyoming with 

the intent to distribute to ARNG and ANG units. NGB's 

plan is to expand across all 54 States, Territories and 

District of Columbia. 

GUN LOCKS FOR GUARD MEMBERS