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Review
. 2012 Jun 23;379(9834):2393-9.
doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60521-2.

Means restriction for suicide prevention

Paul S F Yip  1 , Eric Caine, Saman Yousuf, Shu-Sen Chang, Kevin Chien-Chang Wu, Ying-Yeh Chen
Affiliations
Review

Means restriction for suicide prevention

Paul S F Yip et al. Lancet. .

Abstract

Limitation of access to lethal methods used for suicide--so-called means restriction--is an important population strategy for suicide prevention. Many empirical studies have shown that such means restriction is effective. Although some individuals might seek other methods, many do not; when they do, the means chosen are less lethal and are associated with fewer deaths than when more dangerous ones are available. We examine how the spread of information about suicide methods through formal and informal media potentially affects the choices that people make when attempting to kill themselves. We also discuss the challenges associated with implementation of means restriction and whether numbers of deaths by suicide are reduced.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest

We declare that we have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure:
Figure:
Selection process of studies cited
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Suicide affects all of us.
    Lewiecki EM, Miller SA. Lewiecki EM, et al. Lancet. 2012 Jun 23;379(9834):2316-8. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60726-0. Lancet. 2012. PMID: 22726502 No abstract available.

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