Illinois Launches New “Pause to Heal” Firearm Restraining Order Education Campaign

The Illinois effort is the first phase of a planned multistate campaign called amp8220Pause to Healamp8221 It is designed to prevent firearm suicides and other shootings by educating the public about the stateamp8217s FRO law and the power that family and household members have to ask a court to temporarily restrict access to guns and ammunition when a person poses a threat to themselves or others Though FROs can be highly effective a recent study from the Ad Council Research Institute ACRI and Joyce Foundation found that only 10 of Illinoisans are familiar with these potentially lifesaving tools and know how to use them if needed The new campaign aims to bolster awareness of these interventions featuring a new website PauseToHeal and ads that will launch today across radio digital print and outdoor with video PSAs to come starting later this year For a sample print ad click HEREamp8220When people are in crisis they deserve an opportunity to amp8216pause to healamp8217 and access mental health resourcesquot said Governor JB Pritzker quotWith this new awareness campaign we will help Illinoisans connect with the resources they need to keep them and their loved ones safeamp8221The firstofitskind collaboration combines the expertise of Brady the nationamp8217s oldest gun violence prevention group with the Ad Councilamp8217s unique model of using the power of communications to inspire change on pressing social issues and IDPHamp8217s authority and credibility to drive a measurable impact by highlighting Illinois FRO law that was signed by Governor Pritzker in 2019amp8220The epidemic of gun violence is a growing public health crisis both in Illinois and across the nationamp8221 said IDPH Director Dr Sameer Vohra amp8220The State of Illinois is fortunate to partner with Brady and the Ad Council to launch a oneofakind public health campaign educating the public on the importance of firearm restraining orders These red flag laws give Illinoisians the power to help their loved ones amp8216pause to healamp8217 protecting them during moments of crisisSince the federal 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act there has been a growing investment and public focus on the use of FROs or amp8220extreme riskamp8221 laws as a critical tool to create safer and healthier communities free from gun violence Currently Illinois is one of 21 states and Washington DC that have an extreme risk law in effectThe research study by the ACRI and the Joyce Foundation showed the critical need for localized efforts on extreme risk law education highlighting that local and statelevel government agencies were key trusted messengers and that government websites were respondentsamp8217 preferred sources for information This understanding serves as the foundation for this unique publicprivate partnership which includes a new digital hub on Illinoisgov that includes resources and FAQs to educate Illinoisans about the stateamp8217s extreme risk lawamp8220The Ad Council is taking a holistic approach to addressing the gun violence crisis facing this country Educating the public about extreme risk laws is a key step to making our homes communities and our nation saferquot said Michelle Hillman Ad Council Chief Campaign Development Officer amp8220We know that FROs can be lifesaving tools but the research shows that while there is a desire among the public for more detailed information awareness of the practical uses of these laws is limited This partnership with Brady and IDPH allows us to put our collective expertise into action working together to save lives in Illinois and beyondamp8221amp8220What wouldnamp8217t you do to stop a loved one from taking their own life or anotheramp8217s Weamp8217re showing people that they can take action and there are tools to help them stop a momentary crisis from becoming a permanent tragedyamp8221 said Brady President Kris Brown amp8220FROs are simple and temporary Most people would move mountains to save someone they love weamp8217re showing them that securing time for space and time for healing is not a Herculean task Equipped with this knowledge countless lives will be saved in Illinoisamp8221quotGun violence does not have to be inevitablequot said Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly quotIllinois has two very effective tools the Firearm Restraining Order and Clear and Present Danger reporting But they are only effective when used This campaign will let people know they are not helpless against gun violence and there are steps they can take to intervene and save livesquotThis partnership debuts at a time when the nationamp8217s gun suicide rate is at an alltime high and over 48000 people die from gun violence annually according to the CDC This data underscores the need for a comprehensive public health approach to addressing gun violence including education about extreme risk laws in the states where they are availableBeginning this month residents across Illinois will be exposed to amp8220Pause to Healamp8221 campaign efforts developed pro bono by creative agency McKinney to ensure they are aware of this lifesaving tool at their disposal This campaign is an Illinoisspecific pilot with a goal to expand into the other 20 states and Washington DC that have variations of extreme risk laws in placeThe ads stress that family and household members can come to the aid of a amp8220Loved One in Crisisamp8221 by learning about the law and petitioning a court for a temporary FRO if deemed necessary amp8220A Firearm Restraining Order gives a person in crisis time to healamp8221 says one billboardThis initiative builds upon the success of the Ad Council and Bradyamp8217s amp8220End Family Fireamp8221 campaign a unique and effective public education effort that focuses on secure gun storage as an evidencebased solution to preventing gun deaths and injuries According to an ongoing tracking study by the Ad Council and Brady gun owners and people in gunowning households who are aware of the End Family Fire campaign are significantly more likely to make changes to store their guns more safely than those not aware underscoring the importance of comprehensive awareness campaigns in preventing gun violenceFor more information on FROs in Illinois visit PauseToHealPosted at MediaVillage through the Thought Leadership selfpublishing platformClick the social buttons to share this story with colleagues and friendsThe opinions expressed here are the author39s views and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillageorgMyersBizNet

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Illinois Launches New “Pause to Heal” Firearm Restraining Order Education Campaign

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Illinois Launches New “Pause to Heal” Firearm Restraining Order Education Campaign

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