Of the 30,000 or so gun deaths in the U.S. each year, nearly two-thirds are suicides. Another ~20,000 people a year take their own lives without firearms (that’s ~46,000 people in 2016, based on reports from the CDC and other sources). Its widely believed that suicides are underreported, so the number is probably larger.
As a gun-rights organization focused on root cause mitigation, the Liberal Gun Club strongly believes that the reduction of the number of suicides should be at the top of the list of ways we can reduce “gun” deaths (and maybe a few non-firearm deaths at the same time). As such, here is a list of resources if you or someone you know is contemplating suicide. Please use them – we want you here. We care.
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE – 1-800-273-8255
A little known fact about the NSPH is that they do not only help with suicidal thoughts. If you are having a mental health crisis of any type, including anxiety or panic attacks, they are there for you and will talk with you for as long as you need.
CRISIS TEXT LINE: Having thoughts of suicide or self harm (known as “in crisis”)? Text HELLO to 741741 (link here)
Again, this text line is not only for suicide prevention but can help you in any mental health crisis.
MAKE YOUR SAFETY PLAN – My3App (link here)
A wonderful app that lets you create a safety plan – a written list of coping strategies and sources of immediate support for people who are at risk of suicide or self-harm. This app allows you to personalize a plan for you with suggestions of strategies and how to pick your support resources.
AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION – Support Resources (link here).
Another wonderful resource, this website has links for those in crisis, those who have lost a friend or loved one, and those who are concerned that someone close to them is in crisis.
VETERANS CRISIS LINE – https://www.veteranscrisisline.net
While this site provides confidential resources for Veterans and active service members through text, call and chat resources, it provides great information in general. This page gives information on how to support someone in crisis and to help them before they get to that point. This page gives information on how to identify when someone may be having a mental health crisis. (You can also get information on knowing the signs in children through Sandy Hook Promise, here.)
We, along with many members of the gun community, care deeply about this issue. We hope these resources are helpful to our members and our readers.