Firearm suicide among youth in the United States, 2004-2015

Suicide is a leading cause of death among children in the United States; firearms cause 37% of these deaths. Research is needed to better understand firearm accessibility among youth at risk for suicide. We reviewed data from the National Fatality Review Case Reporting System (NFR-CRS). Firearm suicide deaths of children ages 10-18 occurring 2004 through 2015 with completed suicide-specific section were included. Children who had talked about, threatened or attempted suicide were identified as 'Greater Risk' (GR). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. Of the 2106 firearm suicide deaths, 1388 (66%) had a completed NFR-CRS suicide section. Of these, 36% (494/1388) met the criteria for GR. Firearms were less likely to be stored in a locked location for GR children [adjusted OR 0.62, (95%CI 0.49-0.98)]. Strategies to limit firearm access, particularly for GR youth, should be a focus of suicide prevention efforts.
Author(s): Patricia G. Schnitzer [sup.1] , Heather K. Dykstra [sup.1] , Theodore E. Trigylidas [sup.2] , Richard Lichenstein [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (Aff1) 0000 0001 0028 3686, grid.415507.2, National Center for [...]