The US is still suffering from gun-related suicides as Americans who own firearms is not decreasing. In 2022, statistics showed that suicide cases linked to pistols and other guns drastically increased.
During that period, almost 27,000 gun-linked suicide cases were recorded in the US; 73 Americans are estimated to take their lives using their firearms each day.
However, because of misinformation and stigma surrounding gun ownership in the US, preventive measures are hampered. This is why a professor shared his suggestions, which he claims will work in the US.
How to Prevent Gun-Related Suicides: Here's What Experts Suggest
Paul Nestadt, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University, was interviewed by The Guardian regarding the rising gun-related suicide cases in the US.
He was asked about the ways that can prevent firearms-linked suicides and the methods that will work despite around 1/4 to 1/3 of Americans owning pistols, rifles, and other guns.
"If someone in the house is experiencing depression or has a substance use issue, the gun might temporarily be stored outside the house," explained the professor.
Nestadt added that police stations, gun shops, firearm ranges, etc., will gladly allow people to store their guns with them temporarily.
Aside from this, he also said that if there's a kid in the house who is at risk of getting access to firearms, the best thing to do is lock the gun with ammunition, storing them separately and properly.
Paul Nestadt also suggested asking the police or clinicians for a petition to temporarily remove guns in houses if family members are seeing signs that one of them is planning to commit suicide.
Of course, they should also get some help from psychiatrists and other experts who can talk to the person at risk of suicide.
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Gun-Related Suicides in the US
Previously, the Pew Research Center conducted a study to determine the situation of gun-related suicides in the United States. Based on its findings, suicides accounted for over 50% of gun deaths in 2021.
This is quite alarming since suicides are higher compared to murder and other deaths involving firearms. Pew's study showed that there's a rising trend in firearms-related suicide cases in the US.
Because of this, gun-linked suicides in the US are much higher compared to other developed countries. But, the United States still falls behind compared to Latin American nations.
