Access to lethal means is a jargony term often used by public health experts and suicide prevention advocates. Lethal means are the tools and methods one might use to try and take their life, like firearms. A key suicide prevention strategy is preventing access to lethal means among individuals who are at a risk for suicide or are experiencing a suicidal ideation. There’s a movement among health care professionals to counsel patients about access to lethal means and the risks that are posed when firearms are safely secured.
