Firearm Suicide Prevention in the U.S. Military: Recommendations From a National Summit
Objective:
The US DoD has identified firearm suicide prevention as a key operational priority. One vital approach to addressing firearm suicides is through promoting lethal means safety, which involves the voluntary use of secure storage for personally owned firearms and/or temporarily moving firearms out of the home during risk periods.
Method:
The Summit identified 10 recommendations to enhance firearm suicide prevention messaging and interventions in the U.S. military, including (1) repeal or amend prohibitions on questioning service members about personal firearms; (2) develop, examine, and use common language for firearm injury prevention; (3) implement a universal approach to training on comprehensive firearm injury prevention; (4) encourage leadership across disciplines and levels; (5) aim for broad culture change; (6) support innovative research; (7) consider various outcome measures; (8) promote “cultural competence” for better communication; (9) reduce territorialism; and (10) develop creative partnerships.
Project Status:
Completed
Principal Investigators:
Marian E Betz MD MPH, Ian H Stanley PhD, Michael D Anestis PhD, Craig J Bryan PsyD ABPP, Jessica Buck-Atkinson MPH, Neil Carey PhD, Marjan Ghahramanlou-Holloway PhD, Brooke Heintz Morrissey PhD LCSW, Kathryn Holloway PhD, Claire Houtsma PhD, Rachel Kennedy PhD, Christopher M Paine PhD BCD, Rajeev Ramchand PhD, Joseph Simonetti MD MPH, Adam Walsh PhD LCSW, Erin Wright-Kelly DrPH MA