Experts say preventing access to guns helps stop suicide attempts

Predicting Suicide Risk Is Difficult

Research indicates that predicting who will attempt suicide is only slightly better than a coin toss. This lack of accuracy has remained consistent over the last fifty years despite ongoing study. Consequently, clinicians cannot reliably identify which specific patients are likely to die within six months.

Focus Shifts To Access Control

Instead of trying to lock up every patient at risk, experts suggest ensuring loaded guns are not available. Dr Paul Nestadt argues that broad policy approaches regarding firearms are necessary because individual prediction fails. Many clinicians agree that medication and therapy alone are insufficient without addressing firearm availability.

Policy Approaches Face Challenges

The challenge lies in implementing broad policies when constituencies often resist such measures. KFF Health News is examining these approaches to expand beyond standard medical interventions. Researchers and families who lost loved ones agree that more action is needed beyond therapy.