Teach families of suicidal individuals the
importance of limiting access to substances
in the home. Educational and skill-building
interventions shown to be effective in reducing
access to lethal substances should be implemented
broadly in high-risk populations (9). Examples
include educating parents and other family
members in emergency departments, hospitals,
and other clinical settings. Families should be
educated on strategies to limit access at home to
prescription drugs, over-the- counter analgesics,
and alcohol. They should be educated about the
potential dangers of alcohol in suicidal individuals
and its ability to amplify the harmful effects of
medications and other substances that can result in
severe respiratory depression and death.