I just read an excellent article about guns and suicide: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/crime/2013/12/gun_ownership_causes_higher_suicide_rates_study_shows.html. According to the article, research shows that guns and suicidal urges are a lethal combination. Most suicides in the U.S. and in some other countries are by gun. When guns are removed from homes to a significant degree, e.g., after the mass shooting in Port Arthur in Australia, suicide rates go down. Not just suicide by gun. Total suicide. The same happened in Israel, when the army stopped allowing soldiers to take their guns home on the weekend. Suicide rates of soldiers dropped like a rock on the weekend and did not rise during the week. How can that be?
Suicide tends to be an impulsive act. Guns make suicidal efforts fast and effective. Remove the quick exit tool, and the urge sometimes will pass — not to return! The evidence for this phenomenon comes not just for guns but for coal gas stoves (once popular for suicide in the UK) and for bridges frequently used for suicidal plunges. When the UK government eliminated coal gas ovens, the total suicide rate dropped by a large amount. When cities block individuals from diving off a bridge popular for suicide, the suicide rate drops substantially. Hopeless, despondent individuals could find another bridge, with no suicide barriers, but they usually do not. For more information on these effects, see http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/struck-living/201012/can-obstacle-prevent-suicide.
What is the practical message of these various findings? Make impulse suicide as difficult as possible. Block the common methods and locations. Keep guns outs of homes wherever possible. Do whatever is possible to keep suicidal individuals alive long enough for the impulse to pass.
Have you ever dealt with a suicidal person? Did preventing suicide for awhile prevent suicide for the long run?
John Malouff, PhD, JD, Assoc Prof of Psychology
I had three suicide stories this year. One a close family friend’s daughter (18), who lived through a bunch of pills and alcohol, to reflect on her decision, and the reasons she had .. she made a commitment to stay, once she understood the bigger picture. The family kept all pills and alcohol away from her for a few months (not easy, but they did it) and always made sure someone was with her all the time.
Another, a client (38), who I only met a long way in to his problems, was in constant company, mostly his mum. He knew he wasn’t OK (despite what the professionals he was seeing told him). Unfortunately, he was right. He was very clear about the reasons for his decision, method chosen, and timing, meticulously planning his suicide. His family kindly asked me to speak at the funeral, which meant the world to me. They had given him all the love, support and help they could for his entire life, confiding in me that they always suspected that this day would come. That love and support they felt had given them almost 10 years more with their son and brother, for which they were grateful.
The third, a mother (39) who walked out of the house to take a walk, and didn’t come back. Her six children were devastated, and discovered that she had sought voluntary psychiatric admission earlier that week, without success. The eldest child (17)is struggling to take on the role of high school and parenting. Her classmates and school are very supportive, and in a strange way, have a greater understanding, as three years ago, their main teacher’s son (19) committed suicide, in a small community.
Wow, I didn’t realise how much suicide went on around me this year, and always, the major impact on the families and wider communities. Where family members and friends were aware of the issues and were prepared to be vigilant, there was the opportunity for therapeutic intervention. I the first story, and to a great degree, in the second instance, it was successful.
Good stories, MS. Suicide is often a permanent solution to a temporary problem. It often has tragic, wide-ranging effects on others.