The following message aims to increase your knowledge and understanding of
suicide and firearm suicide in America.

We understand that the content may be personal for you.

If you or someone you know is in a time of emotional crisis or needs to talk to
someone, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK
(8255), or text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line for free from
anywhere in the US.

John, you probably remember your first real heartbreak. It
feels like the world is ending.

I often wonder if 17 years ago, someone had said something as simple as,
"Hey Jeffrey, you seem upset. Maybe you should leave the gun here today,"
he might still be alive.

I wish I could have told him that.

I wish I could tell him, "Hey, that first heartbreak is the worst, but
later on you will look back and be relieved or even happy it didn't work
out."

But on March 9, 2003, following a break up with his girlfriend, my only
brother Jeffrey died by suicide with a gun. He was just 21 years old.

With any instance of suicide, there are complex contributing factors; But
the availability of guns and death by suicide are intimately linked. When
my brother experienced his first heartbreak, access to lethal means meant
the difference between fleeting impulsive thoughts and an irreversible
fatal mistake.

That's why as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month comes to a
close, I want to tell you that there is hope.

For more than a decade, I struggled to talk with my family and friends
about Jeffrey. It wasn't until speaking with an extremely passionate Moms
Demand Action volunteer that I began to understand the critical role easy
access to a firearm played in my brother's death. With the support of the
Everytown Survivor Network, I began to speak out. I've been fighting for
gun sense ever since.

While I can't say for sure that any one law or policy would have saved
Jeffrey's life, I do think some awareness could have disrupted the events
of that day.

John, elevating suicide prevention awareness in our work and
increasing opportunities to take action is more than just this one month.
There is hope and opportunity to save lives from firearm suicide, but only
if we remain committed to that goal.

As National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month comes to a close, I want to
share with you some resources from Everytown for Gun Safety to help find
support, empowerment, and purpose in this fight:

* [ [link removed] ]The Rise of Firearm Suicide Among Young Americans: Earlier this
month, we published a new report detailing how the suicide rate among
young people is at a record high, with increases every year since
2007. [ [link removed] ]Please read and share the report.
* [ [link removed] ]Recommendations for Action: As a part of our new report on youth
firearm suicide, we've compiled a list of what we can do to prevent
future tragedies: Limiting easy and immediate access to firearms;
knowing the risk factors and warning signs; learning how to talk about
mental health; and reaching out for help. We've also included a list
of free and confidential crisis lines and suicide prevention and
mental health organizations.
* [ [link removed] ]Moments That Survive: Through the Everytown Survivor Network and
Moments That Survive, we encourage those who have been affected by
firearm suicide to share their stories. [ [link removed] ]Please read and share their
stories, and remember those who have been affected by firearm suicide.

My brother Jeffrey was fun-loving and popular. He was an avid athlete. He
loved the outdoors, and regularly went sailing, fishing and hunting. I
miss him every day.

I wish things were different, but wishing doesn't save lives. What does
save lives is what we do here in this movement, the actions we take
individually and collectively.

John, I am grateful to share my brother's story, because for so
long, I couldn't.

Thank you for being a part of this movement. We're in this together.

Laura Abbasi
Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund

P.S. If you or someone you know is in a time of emotional crisis or needs
to talk to someone, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text
Line for free from anywhere in the US.


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