User:Forresthearst/Teenage suicide in the United States

Means Reduction

Child access prevention laws were put in place with the intention to reduce gun related deaths of those under the age of 17. CAP laws first focus is on negligent storage of firearms to encourage gun owners to safely store weapons and limit accessibility. CAP laws differ from state to state but can carry felony charges if there is an incident of negligent storage. The second focus is on the reckless provision of firearms which refers to children being given guns then having an accident. These laws were a response to high volumes of children committing suicide, crimes, and accidents with the highest number of deaths in 1993. The highest rate per 100,000 was 4.87 children killed in firearm related incidents in 1993. The effects of these laws brought down firearm related incidents to 1.87 per 100,000 by 2009 which was a reduction from over 3000 deaths to 1400.

Suicide awareness programs

The Canadian journal of public health references 9 studies being done over the effects of awareness programs on teenagers. These studies were mainly conducted in the US showing 5 of them having positive effects on teenagers making them more likely to seek help. However, there was 1 study that had a negative impact making teenagers aware that suicide was a possible option rather than dealing with their problems. This study also found that males are more likely to suggest suicide as a solution rather than females.

Threats of Suicide

SAVE or the Suicide voices of education foundation states that threats of suicide are the main warning factors for someone taking their own life. Warning factors include planning a suicide, talking about a committing suicide, or looking for weapons to harm themselves. These signs can mean that a person is in need of immediate attention from health officials or a suicide prevention organization. People who are at risk for suicide maybe resistant to admit they have suicidal intentions because of the stigma that comes with mental illness. This is another obstacle of suicide prevention because people don’t want to be labeled by their mental illness. Ways to help someone who is making threats is recommending they talk to their family, religious leaders, clinical professionals, and suicide prevention organizations.

Suicide Survivors

SAVE refers to people who have been affected by suicide whether a friend or family member as suicide survivors. Suicide begets suicide because the loss of a loved one can place that person at risk to take their own life. A 1993 study showed that suicide survivors had increased thoughts of suicide and other psychological problems such as PTSD. Clusters of suicides are often found in communities because it is a mental contagion that can influence others to commit the same act. To prevent clusters, the CDC created guidelines to intervene with those effected by these incidents. The people considered to have had a “Close” relationship with the victim should be given counseling as soon as possible and then be referred to any additional treatment if needed. The section below list treatments for at people at Risk.