New research – based on half a decade of national data – lays bare the escalating crisis of firearm-related suicides that’s tormented women in the United States. But the findings also reveal distinct clinical and demographic profiles that could help steer prevention efforts.
Despite the best efforts at increased awareness, suicide persists as one of the leading causes of death of American women all the way through middle age. But the tragic twist to this story is that firearms play an increasingly prominent role. Over the past two decades, the share of female suicides with a firearm has surged nearly 30%.
It’s no coincidence that the rate of first-time gun ownership has been climbing, too. Especially since roughly half of new firearm owners are women. But not owning a firearm hasn’t worked as much of a deterrent. The numbers show that women who take their own lives with a firearm typically use a weapon that belongs to someone else in the house – and it’s almost alway an intimate partner.
This access dynamic complicates prevention efforts while underscoring the dire need for gender-specific prevention strategies.
In a bid to clear the way for more targeted interventions, a band of university researchers dove into the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). Pulling from more than 8,300 female firearm suicide deaths between 2014 and 2018, the team employed latent class analysis (LCA) to find out more about this heartbreaking trend.
Clinical Typologies
The researchers parsed out four separate “clinical typologies” from the women who took their lives, each with implications for public health outreach:
- Depression and Suicidal Thoughts Class – Nearly 48% of the suicides fell into this subgroup, making it the largest class by far. These women had a history of depression and suicidal ideation. Despite the prevalence of these risk factors, only about half of them had received any mental health treatment.
- Substance Use Class – Women in this group – who made up more than 26% of the total – struggled with documented alcohol or substance use disorders. They were also more likely to face intimate partner issues and, in fact, endured recent disputes. Despite these challenges, only a third of them had reached out for professional help before their deaths.
- Physical Health and Pain Class – Nearly 22% of the women struggled with pain and/or poor health. Unfortunately, there women – usually older – were even less likely to report mental health concerns or intimate partner conflict.
- Multimorbid Class – The smallest segment – making up a little more than 4% of the total – also appeared to be the most complicated. These women endured multiple (and concurrent) health and social challenges. They were also the most likely to face financial and employment issues.
Notably, more than 40% of the decedents the researchers looked at showed none (or only one) of the traditional risk factors. Obviously, this muddies the waters as caregivers – and policymakers – struggle to build better prevention models. The data showed that these women weren’t likely to have any formal mental health or substance use diagnosis. And yet they still took their own lives – with a firearm.
Unsurprisingly, the study also unearthed noteworthy racial disparities. Black women, for example, accounted for a disproportionate amount of those without a documented clinical history. This, the authors suggest, could be a sign that the existing systems are under-detecting (or at least underreporting) risks within this demographic.
Fighting Back Against Suicides
Researchers argue these insights could (and should) help shape new, more inclusive strategies to curb female firearm suicide. Outside-the-box Interventions — such as lethal means counseling, firearm storage education, and outreach in non-psychiatric care settings — could save lives.
The authors also champion the idea of integrating suicide prevention tools into a broader range of health services, including physical therapy and pain management clinics. Community-based support structures, such as domestic violence services and housing assistance programs, play a critical role. These resources are especially important—though often under-utilized—for women struggling with partner abuse or financial hardship.
Ultimately, the study underscores the need for new multi-layered, female-centric approaches. As access to firearms expands, the researchers argue, so must the resources allocated to protect the most vulnerable . By identifying clinical profiles and tracking demographic patterns, this research offers a playbook for smarter, more targeted suicide prevention efforts.
Further Reading
NRX-100’s Breakthrough in Suicidality Treatment
Incidence and Risk Factors for Suicide Attempt During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period
