According to the Indiana Department of Health, one Indiana youth dies by suicide every 34 hours, making suicide the second leading cause of death in Hoosiers age 10-25. The ISMA is encouraging members to be part of the solution by taking part in Store It Safe.

In June, ISMA and the Indiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (INAAP) will launch the Store It Safe (SIS) Youth Suicide Prevention Quality Improvement Program, which empowers physicians and other healthcare professionals to identify and address the risks of suicide at encounters with patients age 12 and up. Training on how to use evidence-based screening tools and discuss lethal means restriction with patients and families will be provided. A virtual reality platform will help participants practice and learn lethal means restriction counseling techniques.  

From June 2025 – May 2026, selected practices will receive:

• 25 points of MOC IV credit
• $1,000 clinic stipend
• Updated resources for families and youth
• Safety lockboxes
• iPads for efficient and streamlined data entry 

This program results from ISMA Resolutions 23-038 (Firearm Child Access Prevention and Safe Storage) and 23-039 (Firearm Counseling Protection and Harm Reduction Education).

ISMA is delighted to partner with the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Ohio AAP) to help administer the program. Since 2015, Ohio AAP’s Store It Safe initiative has been working to educate Ohioans about important suicide prevention strategies, including safe storage of lethal means, and has provided resources, including lockboxes, to healthcare professionals to distribute to families.