Safe Storage to Save Lives: The Role of Guns in Adolescent Suicide

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for children, adolescents and young adults ages 10 to 24. Roughly 7% to 8% of adolescents attempt suicide each year and 17% report significant suicidal ideation. Despite the prevalence of this issue, diagnosing and identifying youth at risk for suicide remains a complex challenge. 

Listen to our pediatric expert discuss identifying youth at risk for suicide

In this episode, Eric Sigel, MD, shines a light on how to clinically identify youth at risk for suicide and determine if they have access to lethal means, such as firearms or medications. In addition, he discusses evidence-based approaches to reduce or eliminate access to lethal means. That includes counseling and safe storage device distribution. 

Dr. Sigel specializes in adolescent medicine at Children’s Hospital Colorado. He’s the lead for firearm injury prevention and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. In addition, he serves as co-chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Firearm Injury Prevention Special Interest Group.  

In this episode, our expert discusses:

• The prevalence of adolescent suicide 
• The leading mechanisms of suicide 
• Gun ownership and the implications of firearm access 
• Screening tools and approaches to addressing suicidal ideation 
• Safe storage of firearms