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by Xylakant 3427 days ago
Actually, suicide stats indicate that "I do not intend to kill myself" is not how it works. In general, suicidal episodes seem to be short and having access to means to kill yourself increases the chance you'll actually do that. Not having the means available increases the survival rate - even small barriers like selling painkillers in smaller boxes show significant reduction in suicide rates. Another considerable factor are accidents - nobody intends to kill himself in a gun accident either, it just happens. So I think it's quite correct to include those numbers in the risk profile.
2 comments

If you don't OWN a gun, which is a choice you can make even if they are legal, then guns don't increase your chance of suicide.
> In general, suicidal episodes seem to be short and having access to means to kill yourself increases the chance you'll actually do that.

Well, in the moment you still do mean to kill yourself.

Is someone killing themselves something that should be included in what people fear? This seems like it might be another issue that can't be easily compared to the fear of terrorism.