People who committed #suicide by #firearm were less likely to seek treatment and have previous #suicideattempts, yet more likely to reveal their thoughts and plans, compared with others who took their own life.
“Those who die by #firearm are thought to represent a unique subset of decedents who differ from other decedents who die by #suicide on a number of variables,” Allison E. Bond, MA, of the department of psychology at Rutgers University, and colleagues wrote in JAMA Network Open
“Research has shown that those who identify with gun culture often also identify with traditional masculine norms, which may negatively affect help-seeking.”
Bond and colleagues sought to assess the differences in treatment seeking and suicidality between those who committed #suicide by #firearm and those who did so through different means.
The cross-sectional study utilized information collected from 234,652 #suicide decedents (77.8% male; 87.8% white; mean age 46.3 years) from 2003 to 2018, whose states of residence reported to the National Violent Death Reporting System.
The authors assessed participants’ treatment for #mentalhealth and #substanceuse at time of death, record of prior #mentalhealth and #substanceusetreatment, history of #suicidalideation or plans, history of #suicideattempts, and disclosure of #suicidalideation or plans.
Bond and colleagues found that compared with those who committed #suicide by #firearm (49.9%; n = 117,126) were more likely to disclose their plans of #suicide to someone else within the prior month, compared with those who committed #suicide through other means (odds ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.13-1.18).
Compared with people who committed #suicide through poisoning, those who committed #suicide by #firearm were more likely to have a history of having #suicidalthoughts or making plans (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.15-1.23).
Data additionally showed those who used a #firearm to take their own lives were more likely to reveal their #suicidalthoughts or plans to someone else within a month before death, compared to those who died by hanging (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.11-1.17).
“The findings suggest that those likely to die by #firearm #suicide are unlikely to engage with #mentalhealthservices, yet such services are often tasked with reducing access to lethal means,” Bond and colleagues wrote. “This study emphasizes the importance of community-based interventions in #firearm #suicideprevention.”
#James Donaldson 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
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
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
