People who are female, younger, more educated and have reported suicidal ideation are more likely to go to therapy or use psychiatric medications, according to Rutgers Health researchers. Their study, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, examined the use of mental health resources among those with firearm access and which demographics used or didn’t use resources.
“Female firearm owners, white individuals, people with higher education and those who have experienced suicidal thoughts are more likely to be in therapy or be prescribed psychiatric medication,” said lead author Allie Bond, an assistant professor in the Department of Urban-Global Public Health at the Rutgers School of Public Health. Firearms are the most common method of suicide, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Suicide prevention often includes reaching out to mental health services and resources for treatment. Past research has shown that often, those who die by firearm suicide don’t get treatment and don’t reach out for services.
Because firearm owners and those with access are at risk of firearm suicide, it is important to look at the demographics that do and don’t utilize care and resources. The study team states that this will allow for an understanding of who is and is not receiving treatment, and interventions can then be targeted at these underserved demographics and communities. To read the full story.