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09-06-2023 | Suicide | Original Paper

Lethal Means Counseling for Suicidal Firearm Owners

Author: Samuel Knapp

Published in: Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy | Issue 4/2023

Abstract

The death of a patient by suicide is one of the professional events most feared by psychotherapists and firearms are the most commonly used means of suicide. However, as the number of firearm owners within the United States has increased in recent years, so has the risk of firearm-related suicides. Suicidal patients with easy access to their firearms may give in to the wish to die and end their life with little opportunity for reflection or forethought. Furthermore, because the topic of gun control has become so polarized, patients may not always be open to discussing barriers between themselves and their firearms. Nonetheless, psychotherapists using non-judgmental, respectful, and collaborative lethal means counseling can substantially reduce patient suicides.

This is a composite and is not based on any one patient. The comments attributed to the participants in the case illustration are realistic representations of discussions in lethal means counseling

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Title: Lethal Means Counseling for Suicidal Firearm Owners
Author: Samuel Knapp
Publication date: 09-06-2023
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Suicide
Suicide
Published in: Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy / Issue 4/2023
Print ISSN: 0022-0116
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-023-09588-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

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Lethal Means Counseling for Suicidal Firearm Owners

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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