Jose Luis Vazquez Martinez

Mental Health Treatment Seeking and History of Suicidal Thoughts Among Suicide Decedents by Mechanism, 2003-2018

Jose Luis Vazquez Martinez - 17 March 2022

Source:

Bond AE, Bandel SL, Rodriguez TR, Anestis JC, Anestis MD. Mental Health Treatment Seeking and History of Suicidal Thoughts Among Suicide Decedents by Mechanism, 2003-2018. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(3):e222101. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.2101

 

Key Points

Question  Does the use of treatment for mental health and substance use and do suicidal thoughts or plans differ between suicide decedents who died by firearm and those who died by other methods?

Findings  Results from a cross-sectional study of 234 652 suicide decedents indicated that those who used a firearm were less likely to engage in treatment, more likely to disclose suicidal thoughts or plans, and less likely to have previously attempted suicide.

Meaning  This study suggests that suicide decedents who die by firearm are less likely to seek treatment, more likely to die on their first attempt, and more likely to tell someone about their suicidal thoughts or plans, thus emphasizing the importance of community-based interventions for suicide prevention.