Common Myths About Suicide Continued

Myth 5 – Barriers that Reduce Access to Lethal Methods of Suicide Don’t Work

Fact: One of the easiest methods of decreasing the chances of suicide is to limit a person’s access to lethal means, such as firearms. In a jail setting, limiting access to anything that can be used to create a ligature is helpful for suicide prevention because hanging is the most common way inmates take their own lives. Many attempts at suicide are a result of making an impulsive decision. Therefore, separating that person from access to a lethal means can provide time to reconsider before doing themselves harm.

Myth 6 – Therapy and Medications Don’t Help Prevent Suicides

Fact: Treatment is a proven method for averting suicide attempts. Effective strategies in therapy include learning ways to cope with problems and getting treatment from a therapist for depression, substance abuse, bipolar illness, and other mental illnesses. It often takes time to discover the best treatment for a particular individual, but there is no doubt that getting the appropriate treatment can greatly reduce the potential risk for suicide.

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, and Part 17.

This website seeks to provide help to inmates in Texas jails, both municipal jails and county jails. Insinuating that an institution or person has been involved in misdeeds is never an intention.

–Guest Contributor