SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — A state health agency made a delivery to departments in its 28-county region to raise awareness about firearm ownership and safety.
Trillium Health Resources — a specialty care manager (LME/MCO) for individuals with serious substance use, mental illness and intellectual/developmental disabilities — has donated 1,000 gun locks to be distributed to firearm-owning families. The locks were distributed to health departments in the eastern part of the state.
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, firearms are the leading cause of injury to children. Roughly 116 died in 2021. Trillium’s push attempts to curb those statistics.
“We also know that by restricting access to firearms we can lessen instances of successful suicide attempts,” Sean Kenny, head of social services engagement at Trillium, said.
Trillium’s One Community program is behind the initiative, which began during the Covid-19 pandemic. One Community then focused on informing others on available mental health services. It has morphed today into numerous forms of outreach through health literacy and awareness.
“We participate in local events, sharing that support is always available,” Patte Whitfield, One Community director, stated in a press release. “We also help explain about conditions and services to improve health literacy in our region. Everyone deserves the chance to live life to their fullest potential.”
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