Transforming Efforts to Prevent Firearm Suicide

On March 5th, NYHealth hosted a webinar on ongoing efforts, research, and policy developments regarding firearm suicide in the veteran community. Speakers shared perspectives on the current state of lethal means safety programs in New York communities, policies designed to support improvements in outcomes, and where opportunities and challenges remain to capitalize on this momentum.

In recent years, an unprecedented alliance has emerged to address firearm suicide in the veteran community—bringing together firearm owners, health care providers, researchers, and policymakers. Despite some challenges, this collaboration has led to the development of evidence-based lethal means safety counseling that aligns with gun owners’ values and promotes safer practices.

Speakers were:

• Russell B. Lemle Ph.D., the former Chief Psychologist of the San Francisco VA and co-founder of the Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute
• Dr. Gabriela Khazanov, Research Associate, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Watch the webinar recording here.