Reducing death by suicide by addressing well-being and firearm access: A both/and policy approach

Firearm-related suicide is an alarming and growing issue in the United States, accounting for over 25,000 deaths annually. Unfortunately, public perception often underestimates the pervasiveness of this issue, despite widespread support for common sense strategies that could help address it, such as upstream preventative and well-being approaches and reducing access to firearms.

Examining recent evidence,this policy brief highlights the critical need for effective policies to prevent and reduce suicide by firearm.

Evidence suggests that reducing access to firearms, especially for individuals at heightened risk, is a critical factor in preventing suicide. Additionally, addressing social determinants of health and ensuring equitable access to behavioral health care are holistic, upstream approaches to reduce suicide death by firearm. A both/and policy approach helps to integrate both of these necessary and evidence-based pathways by both investing in upstream approaches to improve mental well-being and increasing firearm safety and restricting access for those most at risk.

This policy brief serves as a call to action for policymakers, clinicians, mental health advocates, and community members alike to advocate for and implement solutions that save lives. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).