Today is suicide prevention day. How much do you know about suicide and how to prevent it?
These statistics are drawn from the Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) course, administered by Zero Suicide Institute at Education Development Center. The course is available for free online, and a shortened version is included in the JFM program Preventing Gun Violence: From Rhetoric to Real Solutions.
Consider the following:
- 1% – 2% of intentional overdoses are lethal. Medication overdoses are the most common method of suicide attempts.
- 1% – 2% of self-inflicted wounds from sharp objects, like a razor, are fatal. Cutting is the second most common method of suicide attempts.
- 80 – 90% of intentional, self-inflicted gunshot wounds are fatal.
Counseling on Access to Lethal Means states: “The lethality of the method used in a suicide attempt is one of the biggest factors determining whether the person lives or dies.” Reducing the at-risk person’s access to guns can greatly increase the chances they will survive a suicidal crisis.
The problem of gun violence is vast and complex, but it is a misconception that there is little we can do about it. Our newest program, Preventing Gun Violence: From Rhetoric to Real Solutions, will guide your group in understanding the root causes of gun violence and making a plan to reduce gun deaths, including suicide, in your family, church, and local community. One person dies by suicide every 40 seconds. There is no time to waste. We’ll give you all the resources and training you need to bring Preventing Gun Violence to your church or community. No subject-matter expertise or prior facilitation experience is required. Pull together 8-14 people and register today!