Learn More About a Growing Problem: Gun Suicides in Cities

WASHINGTON - Oct. 3, 2022 - PRLog -- The rate of people who died by gun suicide in cities increased 11 percent over the past decade, and now make up an average of over four in 10 city gun deaths, according to new research from Everytown for Gun Safety (https://www.everytown.org/). That troubling statistic was just one topic explored in a livestream discussion presented by the American Association of Suicidology (https://suicidology.org/) (AAS) and Everytown for Gun Safety and now available  for everyone to watch on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AASuicidology/videos/801617171170077).

Gun Suicides in Cities, Associated Factors, and Prevention Strategies featured a researcher, survivor, and community leader who spoke to the findings in Everytown's report, Gun Suicide in Cities: The Lesser-Known Side of City Gun Violence, from their diverse perspectives and experiences.

"This educational webinar explored the growing prevalence of gun suicides in cities, communities most affected, influencing factors, and city-level solutions," explains Anthony Wood, AAS's Interim Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer. "The diversity of voices brought fresh perspectives to an issue that is all often politicized."

The webinar was of particular interest to those who are looking to implement solutions on a city-wide level. Factors such as city size, presence of gun shops, neighborhood walkability, strength of gun violence prevention policies, and more were discussed in the livestream, along with evidence-based solutions and strategies that can be tailored toward cities specifically.

Speaker Sarah Joy Albrecht, Executive Director of Hold My Guns 501c3 noted that livestream viewers can find hope in the discussion: "Providing compassionate, stigma-free support through voluntary firearms storage is at the heart of our firearms community-based mission.  HMG empowers fellow gun owners to make life-affirming choices knowing that their firearms are professionally secured."

Please reach out to press@suicidology.org for assistance connecting with experts.

About American Association of Suicidology

The American Association of Suicidology is the world's largest membership-based suicide prevention organization. Founded in 1968 by Edwin S. Shneidman, PhD, AAS promotes the research of suicide and its prevention, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. The membership of AAS includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center professionals, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of laypersons who have in interest in suicide prevention. You can learn more about AAS at www.suicidology.org.

About Everytown for Gun Safety

Everytown for Gun Safety is a movement of Americans working together to end gun violence. More than 3 million mayors, moms, cops, teachers, survivors, gun owners, actors, artists, and everyday Americans are working together to create safer communities. Learn more at: www.everytown.org.