Experts say locking up firearms reduces chance of youth suicide

Having trouble viewing the video? Try disabling any ad blocking extensions currently running on your browser.

You are not allowed to watch this stream ='(

SALT LAKE CITY — The number of youth dying by suicide has tripled in the state of Utah in the past decade. Lawmakers, activists, and educators are now learning that half of those between the ages of 10 and 17 who took their own life last year in Utah did so by using a firearm.

Those preliminary numbers from the state are so concerning lawmakers aren’t waiting for a Harvard research report due in August to spread this message: lock up your guns and ammunition.

“We know that nine out of 10 people who survive an attempt will not go on to die by suicide, but if they use a firearm, very few of them survive, which is why it’s so critical to lock them up,” says State Representative Steve Eliason, whose extended family has been impacted by suicide.

Eliason is also co-chair of the governor’s suicide prevention task force, which was created at the beginning of the year.

Catherine Voutaz’s son, Chandler, died by suicide last year. She says in the blink of an eye, her 15-year-old son was gone.

“There was no recovery from that,” adds Voutaz.

Shari Elliott’s son, Avery, also died by suicide. He too was 15 years old. Elliott says he was struggling in the weeks leading up to her son’s death but she never thought it would lead to suicide.

“We honestly thought it was him being a normal teenage boy,” says Elliott.

Tragically, both boys used a firearm. Voutaz says her firearm had been locked in a gun safe and Chandler took her key to open it.

“He managed to take the key off of the key ring and obtain the firearm. Load it and took his own life,” Voutaz says.

Right now, a study is being conducted by the Harvard Injury Control Research Center on youth suicides in Utah. Cathy Barber, who is heading the project, says firearms account for more suicide deaths than all other methods combined. In the 20 years she’s been in the suicide prevention field, she says gun locks are an easy step in helping parents protect a child in a moment of crisis.

“Teenagers are much more likely to get into the guns,” says Barber.

Barber says parents are generally more concerned with locking their guns around small children. Research show it’s just as important to lock firearms so teens can’t access them.

“The purpose of home safety is if your kid or loved one hits one of these periods, they make it through alive,” Barber says.

Suicide Prevention Hotlines and Online Resources If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, KSL encourages you to call the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK

Utah lawmakers are acting now on that message. The state has funded a public service announcement urging parents to lock any guns they may have in the home away from a teenager who may be going through a crisis.

Voutaz urges parents to listen to the message that lawmakers are sending. She doesn’t want other parents to go through the loss and heartbreak she and her husband have endured.

“Take one extra step, just one extra step. Whether it be key management or making sure there is a trigger lock on that gun or some biometric mechanism to secure that firearm. That might have given him some extra time,“ Voutaz says.

KSL is giving away FREE gunlocks at multiple locations across Utah. Get information on each location and time we’ll be there at KSLTV.com, and also find a form where you can order up to three additional free gunlocks.

Suicide Prevention If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK. Crisis Hotlines Utah County Crisis Line: 801-226-4433

Salt Lake County/UNI Crisis Line: 801-587-3000

Wasatch Mental Health Crisis Line: 801-373-7393

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1-866-488-7386 Online resources NAMI Utah: namiut.org

Utah Chapter-American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsputah.com

Warning signs of suicide Talking about wanting to die

Looking for a way to kill oneself

Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose

Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain

Talking about being a burden to others

Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs

Sleeping too little or too much

Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

Displaying extreme mood swings The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk. Warning signs are associated with suicide but may not be what causes a suicide. Information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

What to do if you see warning signs of suicide Do not leave the person alone

Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt

Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)

Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional Information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

We're sorry, currently this live video stream is only available inside of Utah or an approved RSL broadcast territory. We base your location on your IP address. Some providers IP addresses may show your location outside of the state, even though you are physically within the state boundaries. For more information about RSL on KSL, please see our FAQ.