Misconception 1

If you remove access to one lethal method of suicide, someone at risk for suicide will replace it with another.

One of the most common misconceptions about suicide is that someone who wants to die by suicide will find a way no matter what. So, if one method is not available, they will find another way to harm themselves. In fact, a 2020 DoD survey found that 58% of Service members hold this misconception.

However, anything that disrupts an at-risk individual’s plan, including not being able to access their chosen lethal means or method, can save their life. This is because people who have suicidal thoughts rarely have a backup plan they can easily act on if their initial plan is disrupted.

Often, at-risk individuals are not thinking clearly enough to come up with a new plan on the spot. Additionally, these individuals generally do not remain in acute distress long enough to think through and implement a new plan.

Research has debunked this misconception. If access to the preferred lethal means of suicide is limited, other means are generally not a substitute.

Source:
Defense Suicide Prevention Office.
Prevention of Suicide by Firearm: A Communication Guide for Military Leaders and Support Providers.
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Misconception 2

Suicide is always the result of long-term planning.

Many people believe that the act of suicide is a result of long-term suicidal thoughts. Although risk factors for suicide can be long-lasting and build over time, suicide attempts typically occur within a short window of heightened vulnerability.

This means that any barrier between the thought of attempting suicide and the act of suicide can save lives. A barrier can be delaying or removing access to the lethal means for harm, including personally owned firearms.

Source:
Defense Suicide Prevention Office.
Prevention of Suicide by Firearm: A Communication Guide for Military Leaders and Support Providers.
View document

Misconception 3

Having a firearm in the home makes it safer and does not increase the risk of suicide.

One reason Service members report owning personal firearms is for home safety. A 2020 DoD survey found that 68% of Service members said they believe having a firearm in the home makes it a safer place to be. Additionally, this same survey demonstrated that 56% of Service members believe that having a firearm in the home does not increase the risk of suicide.

The use of personally owned firearms for home safety, however, is not an effective means of preventing or reducing injury and property loss and does increase risk of suicide.

Despite this, the belief that having a firearm at home protects one’s family and property is deeply ingrained in society as well as in the military community.

Source:
Defense Suicide Prevention Office.
Prevention of Suicide by Firearm: A Communication Guide for Military Leaders and Support Providers.
View document

Misconception 4

There is no relationship between personally owned firearms safety practices and suicide prevention.

A 2020 DoD survey found that 66% of Service members said they believe there is no relationship between personally owned firearms safety practices and suicide prevention.

However, the risk of suicide is two to five times higher in firearm-owning homes for all household members.

Source:
Defense Suicide Prevention Office.
Prevention of Suicide by Firearm: A Communication Guide for Military Leaders and Support Providers.
View document