On Fridays here at Armed With Reason, we highlight some articles from the Gun Violence Prevention realm that might’ve been missed during your busy week.
As this week is Suicide Prevention Week, we focus on articles dealing with the reality and prevention of suicide.
Suicide Prevention Week - September 8-14
VIDEO: Suicide Prevention Week: You are not alone
“Organizations will be holding events and raising awareness throughout the week and the month, hoping to prevent a similar loss like the one Hessbrook and his family experienced.”
September Is Suicide Prevention Month: 4 Tips From Blue Shield to Spot Someone in Distress and How to Help
“September is Suicide Prevention Month, raising awareness about the alarming rates of suicide while promoting resources that can help prevent it.”
Duke professor’s research finds red flag laws effective in preventing suicides
“Despite the public safety benefits that ERPOs have… the main obstacle for the implementation of ERPOs is the political tension surrounding the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms.”
DHA-Public Health Army Suicide Study Emphasizes Firearm Storage, Safety Policies, as Effective Strategies in Suicide Prevention
“Every September, the Department of Defense and military services support Suicide Prevention Month as a way of drawing attention to the resources available to prevent service member suicides.”
How easy access to guns at home contributes to America’s youth suicide problem
Between 2011 and 2020, the most recent decade for which data is available, 14,763 children ages 5-17 died by suicide in the U.S. – a rate of approximately four deaths every day. Over 40% of these suicides involved a firearm.
Density of gun shops linked to areas’ suicides by firearm
“The finding suggests it might be possible to reduce firearm suicide deaths by reducing the number of gun shops in communities, or enlisting gun-shop owners to participate in suicide-prevention initiatives….”
LGBT adults in California face increased risks of firearm violence
“What we found in our study demonstrates a clear need for enhanced suicide and violence prevention efforts focused on LGBT people in California….”
Suicide Prevention must include firearm information - Sample script included
“Many of you will get emails from institutions such as local schools about suicide prevention month. If there isn’t information about firearms, it is up to you to let them know you’d like to see it.”
How to talk with someone grieving a suicide loss
“Supporting someone grieving a suicide loss can be uncomfortable and even a bit scary. The support you provide is crucial to helping them navigate this tragedy, and it's essential to their mental health.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides 24/7 free and confidential support. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. Also: Find a Helpline — Free, confidential support from a helpline or hotline near you.
Excluding suicide, guns kill twice as many U.S. kids as European adults
“In fact, several states saw more children killed by guns in 2021 than the number of kids killed by firearms in Europe that year.”
Prevalence of firearms in US drives public health crisis of gun deaths, study finds
“They found that while the prevalence of mental health disorders in the U.S. is similar in all major categories to its 40 comparable sociodemographic countries, death by firearms is 20 times greater.”
Parents who teach their kids gun safety are also more likely to leave loaded guns out: Study
“Pediatricians and gun safety experts say the findings aren’t shocking — but they also indicate that a significant portion of gun-owning parents are putting their children and others in danger.”
Fearing the worst, schools deploy armed police to thwart gun violence
“Still, scant research supports the creation of school police forces to deter gun violence — and what data exists can raise as many questions as answers.”
Democrats press for gun violence hearing in wake of Georgia school shooting
“In their letter, the Democrats noted that the only hearing the House Oversight and Accountability Committee has held in this Congress about a mass shooting was the one dedicated to the security failures surrounding the summer assassination attempt against former President Trump.”
New details on parents of alleged Georgia high school shooter
“NBC News has learned from the alleged Georgia school shooter’s aunt that half an hour before the deadly shooting, his mother alerted the school to possible danger.”