(If any of these links do not work, please let us know.) General (or Multiple Means) Michel Martin. One way to prevent suicides: limit access to guns. Morning Edition, NPR. April 28, 2023. Aaron Bolton. ‘Safe storage’ helps keep suicidal gun owners from using their weapons. All Things Considered, NPR. September 5, 2023 Aaron Bolton. To help … Continue reading “Lethal Means Safety in the News”
Nine out of ten people who attempt suicide and survive will not go on to die by suicide at a later date. This has been well-established in the suicidology literature. A literature review (Owens 2002) summarized 90 studies that have followed over time people who have made suicide attempts that resulted in medical care. Approximately … Continue reading “Attempters’ Longterm Survival”
Bridges Barriers and Jumping Suicide Poisoning (Carbon Monoxide, Pesticide, and Medications) Case Fatality Rations by Method of Self-Harm Firearm Availability and Suicide Prevalence – Literature Reviews Firearm Availability and Suicide Prevalence – U.S. Case Control Studies Firearm Availability and Suicide Prevalence – Ecologic Studies Firearm Availability and Suicide Trends over Time Impulsivity and Planning Intent, … Continue reading “Bibliography”
It is intuitive to think that those who attempt suicide and live were less intent on dying than those who died by suicide. While seriousness of intent plays a role in severity of attempt and choice of suicide method (means), the relationship is not a straight-forward one. Many studies (some described below) find little relationship … Continue reading “Method Choice and Intent”
Means Restriction Links: Consensus Statement on Youth Suicide by Firearms (one page) (full document [six pages]) Restricting Access to Lethal Means. California Office of Suicide Prevention eNewsletter. August 2011, Volume 2 Issue 6. Lethal Means Restriction: Its Value and Its Problems (Report from Iowa) New Hampshire Firearm Safety Coalition Recommendations for Suicide Prevention in Nebraska Youth … Continue reading “Useful Links”
Every study that has examined the issue to date has found that within the U.S., access to firearms is associated with increased suicide risk. Handgun ownership is associated with both elevated and enduring risk of suicide by firearm, with rates of suicide by any method being higher among handgun owners (Studdert 2020). Case Control Studies … Continue reading “Firearm Access is a Risk Factor for Suicide”
Means Matter Booklet: an introduction to the relationship between guns and impulsive suicides *The above link is sufficient for office printing. If you are getting brochures printed professionally, use this printer quality version. Means Matter slideshow: a powerpoint presentation you can use to spread the word about lethal means restriction. Speaker Pamphlet about Means Matter … Continue reading “Brochures & Slides”
When do people take their lives? A study of people who nearly died in a suicide attempt asked: “How much time passed between the time you decided to complete suicide and when you actually attempted suicide?” (Simon 2001) 24% said less than five minutes Another 47% said an hour or less Although some people who … Continue reading “When?”
Why do People Take Their Lives? Many factors lead individuals to try to end their lives. Drug and alcohol dependence and abuse, depression and certain other mental illnesses, impulsiveness and aggressiveness, family history of suicide, parental psychopathology, previous attempts, and recent losses or setbacks (like a relationship break-up, arrest, or job problem) are risk factors … Continue reading “Why?”
About our Speakers (Download a pamphlet about our speakers) “Why Do Means Matter?: An introduction to reducing access to lethal means as a suicide prevention strategy” Catherine Barber, MPA, directs the Means Matter Campaign at the Harvard School of Public Health’s Injury Control Research Center (HICRC). She led the effort to design and pilot-test a … Continue reading “Speaker Requests”
