People can and do survive self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Yet some survivors may deny they attempted suicide, says a study in Psychiatric Services. Denial of suicidal intent may prevent gunshot wound survivors from receiving the mental health care they need.
People who attempt suicide with a gun are more likely to die than those who use other methods. A 2000 study analyzed suicide attempts between 1989-1997. The study found 82.5% of self-inflicted gunshot wounds were fatal.
Gunshot wound survivors may face long and difficult recoveries, including brain injuries that compound mental health concerns.
Denying a Suicide Attempt After a Self-Inflicted Gunshot
The study reviewed electronic medical data from 128 people who survived self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Researchers found 29% of survivors denied attempting suicide.
The hospital coded 43% of these denials as having suspicious circumstances. For instance, one person shot himself during a confrontation with police. Another left a goodbye voicemail for his wife before the event. The events immediately preceding the gunshot strongly suggested suicidal intent.
The hospital discharged 63% of all participants to inpatient psychiatric care. Around 20% were cleared to go home. People who denied attempting suicide were 10.86 times more likely to be sent home. This statistic suggests denying suicide could prevent a survivor from receiving appropriate care.
This care in turn could prevent another suicide attempt. Past research has shown people have a higher risk of hurting themselves after a period of hospitalization. Twenty-eight percent of study participants had attempted suicide in the past. Most participants (71%) had a mental health diagnosis, and 35% reported experiencing abuse.
The study did not find a link between denial of suicide attempts and any demographic factor. The study’s authors suggest people may deny a suicide attempt because of the stigma around suicide. They may not want the attempt documented in their medical records. Some may fear psychiatric hospitalization.
Understanding the Needs of Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound Survivors
The study discusses strategies to address the mental health needs of gunshot wound survivors, including:
- Hold a brief psychiatric consultation in the hospital while patients recover from physical injuries.
- Pinpoint factors that could lead to suicidal thoughts.
- Identify warning signs that may come before suicidal actions.
- Develop coping strategies for distress.
- Make referrals to outpatient mental health services.
Previous studies show owning a gun can greatly increase the risk of a completed suicide. Thus, many public health agencies focus on suicide prevention among gun owners. According to a 2017 study, suicide prevention efforts work best when they are sensitive to the values of America’s gun owner subculture. Programs that do not stigmatize gun ownership can be especially effective among rural and politically conservative individuals.
If you or someone you know has survived suicide, a therapist can help you. If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. More crisis resources are available here: What To Do If You Are In Crisis
References:
- Lethality of suicide methods. (n.d.). Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/means-matter/means-matter/case-fatality
- Many self-inflicted gunshot wound survivors deny suicide attempt as cause. (2018, March 26). Healio: Psychiatric Annals. Retrieved from https://www.healio.com/psychiatry/suicide/news/online/%7Bc169a206-f34d-45c9-a7ec-fedc6afb5fca%7D/many-self-inflicted-gunshot-wound-survivors-deny-suicide-attempt-as-cause
- McClay, M. M., O’Connor, S. S., Groh, B. N., Baudino, M., Venanzi, L., Shields, A., . . . Nicolson, S. (2018). Denial of suicide attempt among hospitalized aurvivors of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Psychiatric Services. Retrieved from https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ps.201700130
- Self-inflicted gunshot wound survivors may deny suicide attempt, face barriers to care. (2018, April 13). EurekAlert. Retrieved from https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-04/uol-sgw041318.php
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