Cache Coffee raises suicide prevention awareness

*This article contains content related to suicide and mental health issues. If this may cause triggers for you or someone you know, you can contact on-campus Counseling and Psychological Services at 435.797.1012

A local coffee shop decided to store firearms for gun owners experiencing mental crises.

Cache Coffee and More, located at 970 S. U.S. Highway 89, encourages individuals who are experiencing thoughts of suicide to have a safe, judgement free place to store their weapons while they cool off and seek help.

Jamie and Mindie Buttars are the co-owners of the shop. They started offering the service after a close friend committed suicide earlier this year.

“Suicide has gone rabid lately,” Jamie said. “There’s not really a lot of help up here to take care of that.”

Mindie hopes the changes will encourage individuals to make the responsible decision without the fear of stigma or the loss of their firearms.

“There’s the police station,” Mindie said. “But there’s so many people who are afraid to turn their weapons in because it’s scary. It’s intimidating to walk into a police station and ask them to take your firearms.”

All that Cache Coffee does is open the safe and let customers store their firearms until they’re in a better space mentally. They also offer locks if individuals don’t feel comfortable leaving their firearms at the shop.

Cache Coffee acquired their safe through Al’s Sporting Goods with the help of a local Marines Corps auxiliary unit. They are also currently working with a local attorney to figure out the legality of having individuals sign over their weapons.

Mindie explained that people must show a document that from a mental health professional that states they are in the right mindset along with proof of identification.

Each firearm that the safe carries have all been voluntarily signed over by their owners.

The Buttars said the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

“The original post blew up,” Jamie said. “It’s been viewed 17,000 times which I was not expecting to happen.”

Mindie also was excited to see other businesses in Weber, Davis and Tremonton have shown interest in doing the same thing.

“All I can really hope for right now is that one person can be saved,” Mindie said. “If just one life can be saved from this, it would all be worth it.”

Mindie also said everyone has something incredible to offer.

“This safe is available for anyone who walks through that door and needs it,” she said.

“There is such a stigma surrounding mental health here,” said Kiki Saker, a USU junior. “I feel like people are more inclined to repress their emotions.”

Saker said she thinks mental health can be overlooked because it isn’t outwardly visible.

“Someone can have years of turmoil and show no signs of emotional distress,” Saker said.

That includes USU students. Suicide and mental health are both issues that can heavily impact college students.

According to a study from the American Psychological Association, 53% of college students have struggled with feelings of depression and 9% have considered suicide. It is also the highest cause of death in Utahns aged 18-24.

Saker fears those numbers are inaccurate.

“I’ve heard a large number of my peers admit to struggling with suicidal thoughts,” Saker said. “It’s really sad — regardless of accuracy — how high those numbers are.”

Morgan Walton is a manager at the Connect Assist Refer Empower Office, or CARE, at USU. She provides case management services to students facing various challenges and gets them connected to resources.

Walton encouraged struggling students to look into the resources available on campus.

“Campus and community resources have increased, giving people contending with a mental health condition various options for treatment and support,” Walton said. “Many resources can be accessed and utilized from the comfort of a dorm room, while others give students opportunities to meet directly with caring professionals.”

Walton also suggested students look into USU’s Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS.

“CAPS has come up with many ways for students to pursue mental health support,” Walton said. “In addition to offering free group and individual therapy to USU students, they have self-guided resources, workshops and support groups. CAPS also offers crisis and solution-focused single-session appointments.”

Saker is familiar with the mental health resources on campus.

“Every counselor is deeply compassionate for students’ well-being,” Saker said. “Other staff members at USU also have an admirable drive to connect students with resources. It’s important for students to feel like they have a safe space.”

Walton said she also believes isolation makes any problem worse.

“We know that humans are social creatures, and we need to feel connected to others in order to feel good about ourselves,” Walton said. “Each of us can benefit from investing in positive, healthy relationships and being the friend to others that you wish to have.”

Walton said she supported Cache Coffee and More in their efforts to prevent suicide.

“We know that access to lethal means is key in preventing suicide,” Walton said. “Guns are the most lethal means of attempting suicide.”

Walton also wanted to remind students and anyone in crisis that they are cared about, there is help available to them and they don’t have to face their hardships alone.

Any USU student who is concerned about the well-being of a peer can submit a student of concern report, and all students are encouraged to download the SafeUT app.

-Jared.Adams@usu.edu