VSSA is proud to support Project ChildSafe and we urge all gun owners to support this great program. The below was received in our inbox this morning and we wanted to share it:
It’s hard to believe the start of fall is officially here. Kids are back to school and it’s an exciting time, but it can also make some children and teens feel stressed and anxious about fitting back in with their peers or handling academic pressures.
As students begin the new school year, it's important to remember that school readiness isn't just about having the right supplies, it's also about mental health.
The CDC reports that almost one in three American high school girls have considered suicide, and more than 40 percent of teens report feeling persistently sad or hopeless.
Back-to-School Mental Health
Project ChildSafe is committed to promoting teen mental health awareness and suicide prevention resources, including safe firearm storage information for parents and caregivers.
Here are a few of our top resources for starting a conversation with kids about mental health:
- Parents’ Guide for understanding mental health and suicide prevention through preventing unauthorized access to firearms
- Tip sheet for parents on the warning signs to watch for in teens who may be struggling with their mental health
- Resources for teens: what teens can do if they suspect one of their friends is going through a hard time or engaging in self-harm
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about mental health and suicide prevention. For example, what to do if a child seems to be facing mental health challenges but doesn’t want to talk or open up
See also: back-to-school mental health tips for parents and caregivers, including:Remember: Safe and proper storage is the number one way to help prevent misuse of firearms—including suicide. If a teen is in crisis, they may make an impulsive decision to end their life. But if they can’t access a means to do so, there’s time for the crisis to pass or intervention. If a teen or anyone is in crisis, call or text 988.
- Encourage kids to define their goals for the new school year
- Remind your child(ren) that you’re their biggest ally
- Learn when to seek professional help
Sponsors
Thank you CarbonTV and USA Shooting for sponsoring this newsletter! Your support helps us spread the message of responsible fireman ownership across the country.
To our supporters, we thank you for your continued support and look forward to working together to reduce firearm accidents, theft and misuse, and engage in suicide prevention education.
Sincerely,
Bill Brassard, Jr.
Senior Director, Communications
National Shooting Sports Foundation®
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