Are you in a crisis? Call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741
SECURE your firearms when not in use.
• Be AWARE of those around you who should not have unsupervised access to guns (children, teens, and those with mental health concerns). • FOCUS on your responsibility as a gun owner.
• EDUCATE children and teens about what to do if they find a gun, inside or outside the home.
Free Gun Cable Locks & Lock Boxes
Columbus Public Health
Columbus Public Health provides free lock boxes to the City of Columbus residents. Contact lockssavelives@columbus.gov or Corey Ball at 614-645-1941 to learn how to receive a free gun safe/lockbox. Hours for this program are Tuesdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Thursdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (1393 E. Broad St.).
Gun locks are available to any resident, no questions asked, at all Columbus fire stations between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. For more information, in Columbus, please call 614-724-0269.
Partner with Project ChildSafe free Bulk Gun Locks
Project ChildSafe welcomes the opportunity to work with organizational supporters, such as retailers, gun clubs, shooting ranges, conservation groups, and others to help spread the message about safe and responsible gun ownership. They will provide free gun locks & gun safety materials. Click here to contact Project ChildSafe
Central Ohio free Gun Lock Contact List
The following agencies around central Ohio have gun locks or lock boxes available. Most provide gun locks, not gun boxes. You can contact the agency nearest you for more information.
- Delaware County Sheriff (Delaware County residents) 740-833-2834
- Dublin Police 614-889-1112
- Grove City Police 614-277-1710
- Hilliard Police 614-876-7361
- Licking County Sheriff (Licking County residents) 740-670-5555
- Madison Township Police 614-836-5355
- Pataskala Police 740-927-5701
- Pickerington Police 614-575-6911
- Reynoldsburg Police 614-301-2436
- Upper Arlington Police 614-583-5160
- Worthington Police 614-436-8634
- Columbus CARE Coalition 614-645-6248
Suicide prevention training
Suicide prevention training resources in Franklin County, Ohio
1. Franklin County Suicide Prevention Coalition
- About: This local coalition often organizes community training sessions and events for suicide prevention, such as QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) and Mental Health First Aid.
- Contact: You can contact them directly to ask about upcoming training opportunities and resources.
- Website: Franklin County Suicide Prevention Coalition
2. Netcare Access
- About: Netcare Access provides crisis intervention and mental health services in Franklin County. They might offer or connect you to local training programs focused on suicide prevention.
- Phone: 614-276-2273 (CARE)
- Website: Netcare Access
3. Mental Health America of Ohio (MHA Ohio)
- About: MHA Ohio offers various mental health-related programs, including training and support for community members, focusing on mental health awareness and crisis intervention.
- Contact: Check their website for workshops, seminars, and other events that may include suicide prevention training.
- Website: MHA Ohio
4. The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF)
- About: OSPF supports local efforts and provides training, educational resources, and support programs. They can connect you to available training sessions or organize specific events.
- Phone: 614-429-1528
- Website: Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation
5. Franklin County Public Health
- About: The public health department may organize or partner with local organizations to provide suicide prevention training as part of broader community health initiatives.
- Website: Franklin County Public Health
Online suicide prevention training
1. QPR Institute (Question, Persuade, Refer)
- About: QPR is a program that teaches people how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.
- Availability: Online courses; some local organizations offer it for free.
- Website: QPR Institute
2. LivingWorks Start
- About: An online training that teaches how to recognize when someone is struggling and connect them to help.
- Availability: There are often free promotional periods, or local health organizations may sponsor free access.
- Website: LivingWorks
3. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
- About: Offers various programs, including "Talk Saves Lives," a community-based presentation for suicide awareness.
- Availability: Free or low-cost presentations, with some available online.
- Website: AFSP
4. Mental Health First Aid
- About: Teaches how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health issues and crises, including suicide.
- Availability: Some organizations offer free Mental Health First Aid courses, or grants may cover fees.
- Website: Mental Health First Aid
5. The Trevor Project - Ally Training
- About: Offers training on how to support LGBTQ+ youth, including suicide prevention.
- Availability: Free online resources and training modules.
- Website: The Trevor Project
6. Kognito - At-Risk Training
- About: Online interactive training for recognizing when someone is in distress and how to engage in a conversation to help.
- Availability: Some schools, organizations, and community groups offer free access.
- Website: Kognito
