Firearm Suicide Prevention

Did You Know?

In the U.S. in 2023, roughly 43,000 people died due to a gun.
Roughly 2/3 of these were suicides.
 1/3 were due to homicides.
 
81% of all homicides in the country were caused by a gun.

 

In Lancaster County in 2023, 49 people died as a result of guns.
37 of these were suicides.

 

If the household has a gun, the risk for suicide increases by 3x.

For More Information...

Visit the Suicide Prevention Coalition page for information, news, and preventative trainings such as QPR. 
Suicide Prevention Coalition
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)

Additional Resources

Important Numbers to Know:

 

Mental Health America of Lancaster County
717-397-7461

Lancaster County Crisis Intervention
717-394-2631

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Suicide Crisis Line
988

PA Warm Line (For Someone to Listen)
855-284-2494
 
Pennsylvania 2-1-1
Dial 2-1-1 OR (855) 501-6785
(Community Resource Referrals)

How to Help Someone In Crisis

  • Be willing to listen; allow their expression of feelings, and accept and validate those feelings.
  • Be non-judgemental and patient
  • Be available; show interest, understanding, and support
  • Remove lethal means of self-harm, such as pills, ropes, guns, alcohol, or other drugs
  • Get help from others with more experience and expertise
  • Actively encourage the other person to see a mental health professional as soon as possible and ensure that an appointment is made
  • Don’t act shocked, ask “why”, or be sworn to secrecy
Individuals contemplating suicide often don’t believe that they can be helped, so be active and persistent in helping someone get the resources they need.