A loved one with whom I live is currently in an inpatient mental health facility after an unsuccessful suicide attempt (they’re physically fine now, thanks for your concern). We’ve reached a mutual decision to secure medications and knives (to date, their ‘preferred’ methods of self-harm) prior to their discharge. I need help figuring out the best way to accomplish this with methods and materials available in the US market. We have several days, maybe a week, to figure this out.

I think what I’m in the market for is a small/medium size gun safe for the medications. I’m aware that no safe is 100% secure but I want something robust enough to where it can’t be raked, bypassed, or easily opened in a destructive manner.

I’m less sure what to do about the kitchen knives. I’m trying to figure out where I’m at on the tradeoff between convenience of obtaining them for cooking, vs keeping them inaccessible to a person in crisis. Am I looking for another (smaller) gun safe here?

I guess there’s no reason I couldn’t throw all these things in the same safe, I suppose I’m just picturing it being more convenient to have smaller safes (which can be hidden or otherwise concealed) instead of a larger one which stands out.

To anyone reading who’s been in this situation before… I’d love to hear any and all advice and experiences, for those comfortable sharing. I suspect there are things I could do to secure the home which I haven’t even considered yet. Thanks, and I love you for reading all this.

  • decaptcha [none/use name]@hexbear.netOPEnglish
    2·
    20 days ago

    No, I don’t think of this as a long-term solution. More cooling off, and putting at least one layer of deterrence in between them and methods of self-harm. On its own it’s completely insufficient, and only viable as part of a more comprehensive safety plan and treatment strategy… at least in my opinion.

    Good point about the key. Can you believe I hadn’t thought of that yet?

    Medical team will be in on this. I suspect they’d insist measures like this be in place this before discharge anyway.

    I think you’re correct on your last point… and Thordros made a similar point too. Right now I’m meditating on the contradiction between wanting to throw up as much deterrence as possible, and acknowledging that a determined enough person can get past any lock, given enough time and motivation. Which further highlights the insufficiency of these measures compared to proper treatment and a safety plan.

    Thanks for the reply.

    • hellinkilla [comrade/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
      2·
      20 days ago

      further thought

      Depending on what meds/dosages are involved, it might be an option to only pick up smaller quantities at a time to avoid having enough to do any harm. Some people pick up their meds every week for all kinds of reasons. Don’t have a big bottle of tylenol around, just buy a blister pack of 6 to keep on hand.

      I agree with what someone else suggested getting rid of all knives completely. Or take them with you if it isn’t illegal to carry a knife where you live. Cut onions and other veg in bulk at another location and put them in a tupperwear. Buy a jar of chopped garlic. Buy meats that are already cut or don’t require it. Frozen vegetables already prepared. Lentils can’t get smaller. Etc. According to your diet.

      Hopefully you can stash all the stuff at a friend’s place for a little while. If you can’t, either throw it away or rent a small storage locker depending which is cheaper. Or hide your knives in the woods or something and if you get lucky they’ll be there when you go back.

      if the care team is in on it, they should have some tips because this isn’t a unique situation.

      I hope everything is ok.