JAMESTOWN, NY – In an innovative initiative aimed at enhancing community safety and mental health awareness, a new training session, Firearm Safety Through the Lens of Suicide Prevention, will take place next month.
This engaging and proactive workshop is designed to equip participants with crucial skills and knowledge to initiate vital conversations about firearm safety in the context of mental health, pairing suicide and firearm experts together to present this material.
Scheduled for Monday, March 4, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Christ First United Methodist Church, located at 663 Lakeview Avenue, Jamestown, NY, this session is a collaborative effort led by suicide prevention specialist Carri Raynor, and Sheriff James B. Quattrone. Together, they bring an unparalleled depth of expertise to the forefront of this pressing issue.
The training session promises an interactive and hands-on learning experience, focusing on the development of proactive mental health discussions among firearm owners and their families. This discussion is initiated proactively, addressing firearm safe storage with an individual who is dealing with mental health challenges before the potential onset of a mental health crisis.
“By engaging in dialogue before a crisis occurs, we can save lives. This training is about empowering individuals to take that step,” said Carri Raynor, the session's facilitator and Project Coordinator for the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County (Alliance), who is stressing the importance of early conversations about firearm safety.
Through immersive role-playing exercises, participants will be encouraged to actively engage in creating strategies for the safe handling and storage of firearms, aiming to address potential mental health crises preemptively.
“This groundbreaking training is a critical step towards building a safer community,” Sheriff Quattrone expressed. “It's about equipping our citizens with the knowledge and skills to make a real difference.”
This workshop was developed as part of the Lethal Means Safety workgroup, a part of the Governor's Challenge to prevent suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and Families (SMVF), and this session is made possible through the generous support of the New York Health Foundation highlighting the community's commitment to tackling this vital issue head-on.
Participants will also enjoy pizza and refreshments provided by the NY Health Foundation, creating an inviting atmosphere for learning and discussion.
The organizers urge the community to spread the word and encourage attendance to maximize the impact of this vital training. This is an opportunity for all community members to contribute to a safer, more informed Chautauqua County by understanding the importance of mental health discussions related to firearm safety. There will be more training throughout the year.
Visit the event calendar on the Alliance’s website, PreventSuicideCHQ.com, for more training opportunities. It is updated frequently.
Event Details:
Date: Monday, March 4
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Christ First United Methodist Church, 663 Lakeview Avenue, Jamestown, NY
Registration: Online Here
For further information, please contact Carri Raynor by email at RaynorC@chqgov.com or call 716-753-4522. Together, let's take a step forward in creating a safer community for everyone.
