Living Lockbox Campaign
Every day in this country, we lose more than 17 Veterans to suicide. For many, the crisis moment is fleeting—but tragically, when firearms are immediately accessible, the consequences are irreversible. According to the VA’s National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide, approximately 67% of all Veteran suicide deaths involve a firearm.
In partnership with VA Pittsburgh’s HERL, VHF is supporting the Research and Development efforts behind The Living Lockbox for Veterans, an innovative, life-saving intervention designed to be more than just a firearm safety container—but rather, a personalized, multi-sensory suicide prevention tool designed to give Veterans a powerful pause at their most vulnerable moment.
Each lockbox will be curated during an individual guided session with a VA counselor and filled with items that awaken the Veteran’s five (5) senses to reconnect them with their reasons for living:
- Sight: A treasured family photo or military badge.
- Sound: A personalized voice message from a loved one or mentor.
- Smell: A favorite scent—perhaps a partner’s perfume or the smell of home.
- Touch: A meaningful object such as a medal, a wedding ring, or a beloved keepsake.
- Taste: A favorite candy or nostalgic treat.
This simple, profound act of reflection—opening the box and experiencing these deeply personal reminders—can be the critical intervention that saves a life.
We are seeking donations to finalize the design for streamlined assembly of The Living Lockbox, including integrated voice playback capabilities.