I'm a Pediatric ICU doctor. I take care of kids & adolescents who attempt suicide.
The biggest predictor of whether my patients live or die lies in the method used and firearms are by far the deadliest means of suicide – greater than all other means combined.
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The biggest predictor of whether my patients live or die lies in the method used and firearms are by far the deadliest means of suicide – greater than all other means combined.
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Should we try to prevent suicide though? Aren’t they just going to find a way no matter what?
Actually, no – they don’t find another way,
90% of people who survive a suicide attempt don’t go on to die by suicide. They go on to live their lives.
Means matter.
Actually, no – they don’t find another way,
90% of people who survive a suicide attempt don’t go on to die by suicide. They go on to live their lives.
Means matter.
But aren’t those who use a firearm in a suicide attempt really intent on dying?
Actually, no.
Young people who use firearms do so impulsively.
They are less depressed, less likely to have a mental health hx, less likely to have planned the attempt than those who use other means
Actually, no.
Young people who use firearms do so impulsively.
They are less depressed, less likely to have a mental health hx, less likely to have planned the attempt than those who use other means
Young people who die by firearm suicide are often experiencing a crisis:
a fight with a friend or parent or girlfriend/boyfriend. A bad test grade. Bullying.
These are short-term crises. We can’t prevent them all, but we can prevent kids from dying during one of these crises.
a fight with a friend or parent or girlfriend/boyfriend. A bad test grade. Bullying.
These are short-term crises. We can’t prevent them all, but we can prevent kids from dying during one of these crises.
So what do pediatricians recommend?
First, the safest home for kids is one without firearms.
But we recognize that many families have firearms in their homes and we give evidence-based recommendations on safe storage of firearms.
First, the safest home for kids is one without firearms.
But we recognize that many families have firearms in their homes and we give evidence-based recommendations on safe storage of firearms.
The risk of firearm injury and death can be reduced if:
- all firearms are stored unloaded in a locked container
- ammunition is locked and stored separately from firearm
- all firearms are stored unloaded in a locked container
- ammunition is locked and stored separately from firearm
It's not enough to tell kids not to touch their parents' firearms.
It's not enough to enroll them in firearm safety course.
Firearms need to be stored so that they are truly inaccessible to young people.
It's not enough to enroll them in firearm safety course.
Firearms need to be stored so that they are truly inaccessible to young people.
Access to lethal means + impulsivity + crisis = deadly combination
We can save lives by acknowledging this and employing evidence-based interventions.
#ThisIsOurLane
We can save lives by acknowledging this and employing evidence-based interventions.
#ThisIsOurLane
