MIRECC / CoE

Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention: Why We Need to Talk Firearm Safety When We talk about Suicide Prevention with Dr. Michael Anestis

13 February 2019

Firearms can be one of the most divisive issues facing Americans today. But saving lives is a topic we can all get behind. Lethal means safety is a ripe frontier in suicide prevention with an emerging evidence base and growing support from all sides. Join host Adam Hoffberg as he interviews guest Dr. Michael Anestis from the Suicide and Emotion Dysregulation Lab at the University of Southern Mississippi. Mike tackles common myths about the relationship between firearms and suicide, he provides context on how variants of means safety have played a key role in other public health phenomena, and challenges the counterarguments around means substitution. Dr. Anestis shares his vision of a collaborative, partnership-based path forward, explaining some of the hesitation many have entering into discussions about the role of firearms in suicide, and offers practical ways to approach this delicate issue. Mike brings an informed, even-handed, and optimistic perspective that with the right message we can reach gun owners and effectively prevent firearm suicides.

Listen to the podcast

Resources

Follow Mike on Twitter @PsychBrownBag

Learn more about The Suicide and Emotion Dysregulation lab (SEDL) is a research laboratory at the University of Southern Mississippi

Take a look at his book "Guns and Suicide: An American Epidemic"

Read his APA profile "Can making suicide more difficult save lives?"

Read his editorial in the Houston Chronicle "Gun debate should focus conversation on suicide"