Troubling trends are emerging during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a recent CDCopens in new window report indicating that 11% of Americans have seriously considered suicide since the pandemic started. Coupled with dataopens in new window that show 61% of gun deaths are suicides, APA continues to advocate for the safe storage of firearms to prevent these tragedies. The association is advising the End Family Fireopens in new window campaign, spearheaded by the Brady Campaignopens in new window and the Ad Councilopens in new window. APA member Eric Mankowskiopens in new window, PhD, participated in a virtual roundtableopens in new window to announce the launch of the campaign’s new suicide prevention public service announcements and talked about the importance of safely storing firearms. APA also submitted written testimony (PDF 203KB)opens in new window to the House Veterans’ Affairs Committeeopens in new window calling for lethal means safety training (including safe storage) for Department of Veterans Affairs employees, and veteran-specific lethal means safety counseling for veterans who seek care at the VA.
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