West LA Times

A recent study conducted by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research has shed light on the concerning relationship between access to firearms and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among Californians ages 15–24. The study, based on data from the 2021 and 2022 California Health Interview Survey, revealed alarming statistics and implications.

According to the study, youth who expressed fears of gun violence were nearly twice as likely to report suicidal thoughts compared to those who did not harbor such concerns. Additionally, in 2022, researchers found that young individuals who had access to firearms were approximately two times more likely to have attempted suicide in their lifetimes compared to those without access to firearms.

Ninez Ponce, the director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, emphasized the significance of viewing firearms regulations as a public health issue rather than solely a political matter. Ponce stated, "What we’ve learned in this study reinforces the importance of thinking about firearms regulations less as a political issue and more as a public health issue, because that’s what the data show."

The study highlighted the prevalence of suicidal thoughts among California adolescents and young adults, with 1 in 4 individuals aged 15–17 and nearly 1 in 3 individuals aged 18–24 reporting having had suicidal thoughts at least once in their lifetime. Suicide, especially by firearms, was identified as a leading cause of death among this demographic, with high fatality rates associated with suicide attempts involving firearms.

Roberto López Jr., a UCLA postdoctoral scholar and clinical instructor involved in the study, stressed the importance of monitoring firearm access among teens and young adults at increased risk for suicide. The researchers recommended implementing strategies such as promoting safe storage practices for firearms to reduce access to potentially fatal means and potentially enacting new gun storage laws.

The study's authors urged for collaboration between suicide prevention workers, advocates, and the gun industry to educate firearms owners on safe storage practices. They also advised for widespread outreach efforts in schools and communities to address the concerning link between firearm access and suicide risk.

In conclusion, the findings of the study underscore the necessity for state-level policies that support evidence-based prevention programs to mitigate the risk of suicide among California's youth.