A new study by Stanford University researchers found that handgun owners are nine times more likely to die by #suicide than non-gun owners. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine this month, confirms what #mentalhealth experts have known for decades — that there is a positive correlation between firearm ownership and #suicide risk.
The findings are particularly relevant as many #Americans have become new handgun owners since the beginning of the #COVID-19 #pandemic. Industry data show retailers sold 2.5 million firearms in March, an 85% increase over the same period last year. That increase could bring serious consequences, as psychologists and other experts have raised the possibility of an approaching #mentalhealthcrisis.
Matthew Wintersteen, director of research in the division of #child and adolescent psychiatry at Thomas Jefferson University, noted that after the 1918 influenza #pandemic, studies showed that suicides increased.
“The concern is, do more people who could be facing a number of other challenges that could increase #anxiety, #depression, and relationship issues have more access to firearms?” Wintersteen said. “As things settle a little bit, we’re looking for any emergence of these issues.”
Prior to the Stanford study, researchers didn’t know how much #gun ownership increased risk of #suicide, he said.
“This is probably one of the most rigorous scientific studies on this topic from a scientific standpoint,” said Wintersteen, who was not involved with the study. “The only surprising finding from it for me was the magnitude of #suicide risk that they found. We didn’t know it was that much greater.”
In the new study, researchers tracked more than 26 million registered voters in California who were age 21 and older and hadn’t owned guns before October 2004 over a 12-year period. Out of that group, 676,425 — a little under 3% — became #gun owners during the study period. Their #suicide risk increased significantly, especially right after purchasing the #gun, and remained elevated over the course of the study. #Male #gun owners had an eight times higher #suiciderisk than #male non-owners, and #female #gun owners were 35 times more likely to die by #suicide than #female non-owners.
David Studdert, a law professor at Stanford University who specializes in health policy and the lead author of the study, said that the difference in risk between #male and #female #gun owners can be partially attributed to the fact that #women attempt #suicide more often than #men, although they typically use methods that are less lethal.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
“When you take that high attempt rate and pair it with a very lethal method, like a #gun, it might help explain that high risk,” he said.
Researchers also examined whether the #gun owners studied had an increased risk of #suicide from other known factors such as smoking, using intravenous drugs or drinking to excess. They found no association between #gun ownership and those three causes of death.
“We were trying to understand not just how #gun ownership is associated with higher rates of mortality, but also how that risk changes over time,” Studdert said. “Previous designs in this area didn’t have the ability to follow people longitudinally.”
While it would be difficult to replicate the study outside of California due to the fact that the state mandates legal handgun purchases be completed through a licensed dealer and recorded in a database by the Department of Justice, Studdert said that #suicide risk might be higher in other states with less strict #gun laws. But Wintersteen said that the message about #suicide risk and #gun ownership shouldn’t be, “Get rid of your guns.”
“In Pennsylvania, where gun ownership is high, particularly in rural communities and counties, nobody hears that message,” Wintersteen said. “The message needs to be, ‘Let’s limit access to prevent you, or your family members, from taking their lives.’ There are organizations, like Hold My Guns, that will keep your #gun for you if you’re in crisis, so this doesn’t happen.”
People in crisis can call the #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline at 800-273-TALK (-8255) or use the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
