Controlling the Environment to Prevent Suicide: International Perspectives

Author: Leenaars, A. / Cantor,C. / Connolly, J. / EchoHawk, M. / Gailiene, D. / He, Z. X. / Kokorina, N. / Lester, D. / Lopatin, A.A. / Rodriguez, M. / Schlebusch, L., Takahashi, Y., Vijayakumar, L., Wenckstern, S.
Publication: Canadian Journal of Psychiatry-Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie
Topics: International Legislation and Policy Suicide
Keywords: Fear Firearms Gender PSYCHOLOGY Race guns risk, urban environment
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The authors review attempts at suicide prevention in different parts of the world, concluding that restricting access to means of committing suicide, a concept known as “controlling the environment”, is one of the most effective strategies, to date, of reducing rates of suicide worldwide. They point out that measures such as control of gun possession, detoxification of domestic gas, detoxification of car emissions, control of toxic substance availability and toning down media reports of suicide are consistent with controlling the environment. They examined the impact on suicide rates of Canada’s Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1977, which requires acquisition certification for all firearms, restricts the availability of some types of firearms to certain types of individuals, establishes procedures for handling and storing firearms, requires permits for those selling firearms, and increases the sentences for firearm offences. According to the authors, both the firearm suicide rate and the suicide rate by other methods were at their lowest 8 years after passage of the law. They noted that strong opposition to gun control has limited gun legislation in the U.S.