This report includes a synthesis of data and research from the CDC, academic journals, and a variety of other sources concerning firearms and suicide. It provides a brief overview, followed by an examination of the relationship between firearm availability and suicide, a look at lethal means reduction as a strategy for suicide prevention, and finally, a discussion of several opportunities for prevention and promising practices.
Resource Types: Report
Aiming for zero suicides
This report describes the planning process, implementation, lessons learned, and initial results of an initiative created to develop and improve clinical services and systems organized around a shared vision and ‘zero suicide’ ambition. The project was organized in 2013 by the East of England Strategic Clinical Network (SCN) to develop services and become more focused on supporting those people not in touch with services. Four Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) were chosen to run pathfinder sites to improve outcomes for individuals and their carers, with a particular interest in partnerships, addressing clear gaps in services or the transition between services, and demonstrating a commitment to engage ‘hard to reach’ patient groups and patients from ethnic minorities. The launch workshop focused on each area setting ‘Wildly Important Goals’ (WIGs) and stretching targets with optimistic and ambitious expectations, building on approaches developed in the US. This project used many recommended prevention practices, including partnering with a wide array of stakeholders, engaging in data-driven planning, selecting evidence-based or research-informed program components, and using assessment to inform program improvement.
Cost of Injury Reports and Partner Toolkit
The attached MMWR reports on research released in October 2015 concerning the cost of injury estimated lifetime medical and work loss costs associated with fatal and non-fatal injuries in the United States were $671 billion in 2013. The costs associated with fatal injuries were $214 billion while nonfatal injuries accounted for over $457 billion, more than twice as much as the costs associated with fatal injuries. The cost data document significant increases in the cost of both fatal and nonfatal injury. The increases reflect changes in: 1) methodology, including the use of current dollars (cost of medical care and worker earnings) and changes in population, and 2) injury trends, including increases in poisoning, suicide, and falls. To assist in sharing this important information with colleagues and partners, the CDC has also provide the attached Cost of Injury Fact Sheet and Partner Tool Kit.
Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention: A Theoretical Model and Review of the empirical literature
Based on a recommendation from an earlier RAND report on military suicide prevention, this report reviews the literature on gatekeeper models of suicide prevention to better understand what is known about the effectiveness of gatekeepers and gatekeeper training. The report presents a theoretical model describing how gatekeeper training may influence individual characteristics that may result in intervention behaviors. It then reviews the evidence supporting each relationship presented in this model, and concludes with recommendations for advancing research in this field.
Racial/ethnic differences in mental health service use among adults
This chartbook presents estimates of mental health service use by adults aged 18 or older from different racial and ethnic groups.
Adults newly exposed to “Know the Signs” campaign report greater gains in confidence to intervene with those who might be at risk for suicide than those unexposed to the campaign
This report presents results of a one-year follow-up to a survey on Know the Signs, a California mass media suicide prevention campaign, and examines the effect of campaign exposure on respondents’ confidence to intervene with someone at risk for suicide.
Analysis of the benefits and costs of CalMHSA’s investment in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
This report estimates the possible reductions in suicide attempts resulting from investment in ASIST and estimates the financial return to Californians from reduced medical costs associated with suicide attempts and increased earnings from each life saved.
Leaving a Legacy: Translating SPRC’s Sustainability Recommendations into Action
This report summarizes the feedback received from Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) state, tribal, and campus suicide prevention grantees (alumni grantees) surveyed in 2012 to determine (1) what suicide prevention efforts they had been able to continue after funding ended and (2) how they were able to continue their program and/or activities (the full report from the study can be found here). It provides guidelines and worksheets to help current grantees and other agencies and organizations plan how to best continue suicide prevention efforts. It offers key considerations for each of SPRC’s five recommendations and work space on each page to help develop action steps and assist in building a strong foundation for sustaining suicide prevention programs.
Texas suicide safer schools
This report is designed to assist Texas educators to know the incidence of youth suicide and to recognize schools have the ability to increase suicide awareness, increase protective factors, build resiliency in students and very importantly to intervene and get help for a suicidal student by employing a system-wide approach that includes all stakeholders. It is intended to clarify the role of the schools and increase not only awareness of youth suicide but to help schools increase their collaborative efforts as part of the Zero Suicide Model.
Preventing and responding to suicide clusters in American Indian and Alaska Native communities
The purpose of this report is to learn about suicide clusters and responses in tribal communities; identify strength-based approaches to and existing and needed resources for prevention, response and recovery; and provide recommendations for tribal communities, their partners and for federal and state governments.