Article
Psychiatry
Dustin W. Currie, Laura M. Schwab-Reese, Carol W. Runyan
Summary: The study found that individuals who die by poisoning as a means of suicide are more likely to have psychiatric diagnoses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorder, and PTSD compared to those using firearms. Furthermore, a higher proportion of individuals who die from less common means had schizophrenia. Additional means restriction interventions focusing on access to potential agents of poisoning among individuals with psychiatric diagnoses may be warranted.
SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHIATRIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Namkee G. Choi, C. Nathan Marti, Bryan Y. Choi
Summary: The U.S. suicide data indicates an increase in the use of lethal methods among young and middle-aged adults. This study examines the demographic and clinical factors associated with the use of firearms, hanging/suffocation, and poisoning as suicide methods.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ena Lynn, Grainne Cousins, Suzi Lyons, Kathleen E. Bennett
Summary: This study found that factors such as increasing age, mental illness, chronic pain, and history of previous overdose are associated with increased risk of drug poisoning suicide deaths. Non-opioid analgesics, antipsychotics, and antidepressants are the main drugs associated with drug poisoning suicides.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Vikas Arya, Andrew Page, Lakshmi Vijayakumar, Sanderson Onie, Caley Tapp, Ann John, Jane Pirkis, Gregory Armstrong
Summary: In India, between 2014 and 2021, there was an increasing trend in hanging suicides and insecticide poisoning suicides among males and females, while self-immolation rates decreased. These trends were observed across different regions. Restricting access to suicide methods is an effective suicide prevention approach.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Ian H. Stanley, Natalie J. Sachs-Ericsson, Thomas E. Joiner
Summary: The study found that individuals who intend to purchase firearms tend to have higher severity of suicidal ideation compared to those who already own or have access to firearms, indicating a potentially at-risk period. Replication of these findings in larger and more clinically severe samples is necessary.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Nursing
Rachael Sabrinskas, Bridget Hamilton, Catherine Daniel, John Oliffe
Summary: This review summarizes the literature on the epidemiology and prevention of hanging suicides, emphasizing the need for improving education and policies related to controlled environments and medical management. It also highlights the importance of including the lived experiences of survivors to advance the current prevention agenda.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Allison E. Bond, Shelby L. Bandel, Kayla Wagler, Samantha E. Daruwala, Michael D. Anestis
Summary: The study found that age and owning a firearm were associated with choosing to use a firearm for suicide; those who used a firearm were younger and more likely to own a firearm; those who died by hanging were younger than those who used another method.
INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Psychiatry
S. M. Yasir Arafat, Syeda Ayat-e-Zainab Ali, Vikas Menon, Fahad Hussain, Daniyal Shabbir Ansari, Anuradha Baminiwatta, Tamkeen Saleem, Rakesh Singh, Natarajan Varadharajan, Deepika Biyyala, Sujita Kumar Kar, Murad M. Khan
Summary: Suicide is a global preventable public health problem, with hanging and poisoning being the most common methods in South Asian countries. There has been a decline in suicide by poisoning and an increase in suicide by hanging in recent years in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and India. Although hanging remains the most common method in Pakistan, the use of firearms has been increasing in recent years.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Carmen M. Gutierrez, Kate C. Prickett, Claire Hollowell, Pearl Teiko, Lauren Caton
Summary: Handgun ownership increased in both black and white households, while overall firearm ownership declined. White adolescents showed a significant association between handgun ownership and increased firearm suicide rates, while there was no significant relationship for black adolescents regardless of gun type. Firearm suicide rates were lower for black and female adolescents and highest for white male adolescents.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Christian Hoover, Aaron J. Specht, David Hemenway
Summary: Between 2011 and 2019, suicide was the second leading cause of injury death in the US, with about half of all suicides involving firearms. The connection between firearms and suicide often overlooks the factor of lead exposure. This study conducted in Massachusetts found that towns with higher levels of firearm licensure had higher rates of firearm suicides and lead exposure, highlighting the relationship between lead exposure, firearms, and suicide.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Steven K. Dobscha, Khaya D. Clark, Summer Newell, Emily A. Kenyon, Elizabeth Karras, Joseph A. Simonetti, Martha Gerrity
Summary: The study involved 68 veterans to investigate their perspectives on discussing firearms storage safety in primary care settings. While veterans generally accepted discussions on firearms storage safety in primary care, most did not support direct questioning about firearm ownership. Recommendations included providing reasons for FSS discussions in primary care, and using personalized, caring, and conversational approaches for the discussions.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yue Liu, Zhichao Lan, Yi Yin, Nancy H. Liu, Yongsheng Tong
Summary: The study found that suicide rates among females in Meixian declined significantly from 2009 to 2014, while overall suicide rates remained stable. The most common suicide method was pesticide ingestion, and there were positive or marginally positive correlations between suicide rates and case-fatality in gender- and method-specific groups.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Xiaomei Xu, Jie Zhang, Qin Zhou, Long Sun
Summary: In rural China, there is little difference in the choice of suicide methods between men and women; the majority of suicides involve swallowing pesticides or farming chemicals rather than firearms. While the study did not find a significant association between gender and suicide methods, it highlights the importance of access to means in determining the chosen method of suicide.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Piumee Bandara, Andrew Page, Lalith Senarathna, Judi Kidger, Gene Feder, David Gunnell, Thilini Rajapakse, Duleeka Knipe
Summary: This large case-control study examined the association between domestic violence (DV) and self-poisoning in Sri Lanka. The results showed that exposure to at least one type of DV within the previous 12 months was strongly associated with self-poisoning for both men and women. Women were most strongly associated with physical violence, while emotional abuse showed the highest risk for men. The study also found that 38% of self-poisoning cases in women and 22% in men could be attributed to DV.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Joan R. Asarnow, Lucas Zullo, Stephanie M. Ernestus, Chase W. Venables, David B. Goldston, Angela M. Tunno, Marian E. Betz
Summary: The study developed a web-based decision aid for parents/caregivers, which was viewed as useful by 100% of participants. 94% rated information on reducing access to lethal means as good to excellent, while 91% rated information on storage options as good to excellent.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)