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Controlling Access to Suicide Means

Author

Listed:
  • Marco Sarchiapone

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Molise, Via De Sanctis, Campobasso 86100, Italy)

  • Laura Mandelli

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Molise, Via De Sanctis, Campobasso 86100, Italy
    Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, 5 V.le C. Pepoli, Bologna 40133, Italy)

  • Miriam Iosue

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Molise, Via De Sanctis, Campobasso 86100, Italy)

  • Costanza Andrisano

    (Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, 5 V.le C. Pepoli, Bologna 40133, Italy)

  • Alec Roy

    (Psychiatry Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 385 Tremont Ave., East Orange, NJ 07018, USA)

Abstract

Background : Restricting access to common means of suicide, such as firearms, toxic gas, pesticides and other, has been shown to be effective in reducing rates of death in suicide. In the present review we aimed to summarize the empirical and clinical literature on controlling the access to means of suicide. Methods : This review made use of both MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science and the Cochrane library databases, identifying all English articles with the keywords “suicide means”, “suicide method”, “suicide prediction” or “suicide prevention” and other relevant keywords. Results : A number of factors may influence an individual’s decision regarding method in a suicide act, but there is substantial support that easy access influences the choice of method. In many countries, restrictions of access to common means of suicide has lead to lower overall suicide rates, particularly regarding suicide by firearms in USA, detoxification of domestic and motor vehicle gas in England and other countries, toxic pesticides in rural areas, barriers at jumping sites and hanging, by introducing “safe rooms” in prisons and hospitals. Moreover, decline in prescription of barbiturates and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), as well as limitation of drugs pack size for paracetamol and salicylate has reduced suicides by overdose, while increased prescription of SSRIs seems to have lowered suicidal rates. Conclusions : Restriction to means of suicide may be particularly effective in contexts where the method is popular, highly lethal, widely available, and/or not easily substituted by other similar methods. However, since there is some risk of means substitution, restriction of access should be implemented in conjunction with other suicide prevention strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Marco Sarchiapone & Laura Mandelli & Miriam Iosue & Costanza Andrisano & Alec Roy, 2011. "Controlling Access to Suicide Means," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:8:y:2011:i:12:p:4550-4562:d:15112
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ajdacic-Gross, V. & Killias, M. & Hepp, U. & Gadola, E. & Bopp, M. & Lauber, C. & Schnyder, U. & Gutzwiller, F. & Rössler, W., 2006. "Changing times: A longitudinal analysis of international firearm suicide data," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 96(10), pages 1752-1755.
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    3. Oliver W Morgan & Clare Griffiths & Azeem Majeed, 2007. "Interrupted Time-Series Analysis of Regulations to Reduce Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) Poisoning," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 4(4), pages 1-6, April.
    4. Rodríguez Andrés, Antonio & Hempstead, Katherine, 2011. "Gun control and suicide: The impact of state firearm regulations in the United States, 1995-2004," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(1), pages 95-103, June.
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