Stigma And Myth Getting In The Way Of Tackling US Gun Suicides: Here's What Could Help

 

Last year, there were 27,000 gun suicides in the United States, which equates to 73 individuals dying every day. The vast majority of gun deaths in the United States are suicides rather than homicides, a critical statistic that has received little attention despite years of heated debate about gun violence.

According to experts, stigma and myth continue to obstruct efforts to reduce mortality. A brief interview between The Guardian and Paul Nestadt, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University, has shed insight on the relationship between guns and mental health.

When questioned about some common misconceptions about weapons and suicide, Nestadt stated that one is that suicide is a deliberate decision. He labeled it impulsive, pointing out that the vast majority of persons made the choice to commit suicide and attempted it on the same day.

People tend to make do with what they have. Because firearms are 90% lethal, having them in the house triples the chance of suicide, according to Nestadt. He went on to discuss several approaches to suicide prevention using weapons.

When asked what might be behind the rise in gun suicide rates in the United States, Nestadt responded, “I think the simplest answer is: there are more guns in the country now.” Indeed, handgun sales were at an all-time high in 2020 and 2021.