Having a gun in the home does not increase the risk of suicide.

Folks who are that depressed contemplate suicide as a means of ending their emotional pain. The fact there is a gun in the house does not add to that sense of hopelessness or the risk of suicide.

The sentence should read “increases the risk of completed suicide” since we know suicide attempt by gun is more “successful” than other methods.

So you want to restrict gun ownership? To whom?

How do you parse out the suicidal from the depressed?

Unfortunately, many family members are not aware of the depth of the depression their loved one is, How close to the edge they are. Until there is an admission of those thoughts, or a suicide gesture (half-hearted attempt). HIPA rules prevent health care providers from divulging information to families unless there is an imminent threat to the patient or someone else. Then they can act. But how many people actually see a psychiatrist? Few, and there is a shortage of mental health professionals. So it falls to the family doctor… Pediatrician, internist, GYN, family practice… The Primary Care specialties. Having worked in those areas…. I can tell you it is tough to screen for depression, let alone anticipate suicide attempts.

So, again I ask. How do you restrict ownership? How do you parse out the suicidal from the simply depressed?