Limiting access to lethal means: applying the social ecological model for firearm suicide prevention

Abstract

This paper outlines a novel application of the social ecological model (SEM) for firearm suicide prevention. It focuses on four levels of intervention (societal, relationship, community and individual) to reduce access to firearms, a practical contributor to the capacity to attempt suicide, from individuals when they are at an elevated risk for suicide. There is substantive research linking easy access to firearms with an increased risk of firearm suicide, and suicide prevention interventions that address access to lethal means are critical components of a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy. Potential interventions using the SEM framework include: at the policy level-extreme risk laws, voluntary self-prohibition policies and policies that reduce the availability of firearms; at the community level-gun shop projects; at the relationship level-lethal means safety counselling; and at the individual level-safer storage. Taken together with upstream interventions, such as increased access to mental health services and substance use treatment, a multilevel approach for suicide prevention that addresses access to firearms can save lives.

Firearm legislation and statewide suicide rates: The moderating role of household firearm ownership levels

“…This is not meant to suggest that firearm legislation should be pursued to the exclusion of other means safety strategies. In fact, a recent application of the Social Ecological Model proposes that firearm means safety should be addressed across four levels of intervention simultaneously (i.e., societal, community, relationship, individual; Allchin, Chaplin, & Horwitz, ). Proposed interventions include firearm legislation (societal), collaborations with firearm owners (community; Barber et al, ), lethal means counseling (relationship), and safer storage of firearms (individual).…”

Colorado’s first year of extreme risk protection orders

“…Reducing firearm access during times of risk of suicide or interpersonal violence is recommended, including through voluntary, temporary out-of-home firearm storage, secure storage at home (SurgeonGeneral. 2012 ; Allchin et al 2019 ), or through legal tools which limit individuals’ access to firearms.…”

Development of an online map of safe gun storage sites in Maryland for suicide prevention

“…Moreover, the higher suicide rates observed in rural areas are driven by higher firearm-related suicides (Nestadt et al, 2017). Reducing access to lethal means of self-harm, such as firearms, is a cornerstone of suicide prevention (Allchin et al, 2019;McCourt et al, 2017). Firearm storage outside of the home is recommended as one of the safest approaches (Allchin et al, 2019).…”

“…Reducing access to lethal means of self-harm, such as firearms, is a cornerstone of suicide prevention (Allchin et al, 2019;McCourt et al, 2017). Firearm storage outside of the home is recommended as one of the safest approaches (Allchin et al, 2019). In fact, there may be an even greater need for safe firearm storage options outside the home during the current COVID-19 pandemic (Mannix et al, 2020).…”