Queen's University Belfast

Academic Institute

Aideen Maguire

E034

Death by suicide is a major public health concern, especially in Northern Ireland (NI), which has the highest suicide rate in the UK. Restricting access to means is a key principle in effective suicide prevention. In the USA, there is clear evidence that access to a firearm increases risk of suicide for firearm owners but there are few equivalent UK studies. Owners of legally held firearms in NI must hold a Firearms Certificate (FAC). Aims: The proposed project will provide crucial information on the mental, cognitive health, and suicide risk of individuals with a firearm in NI and will help inform policy around public safety and suicide prevention. Specifically, the project aims to determine: (i) what proportion of FAC holders have significant mental and cognitive ill-health (ii) if access to a firearm increases risk of firearm related death, including suicide. (iii) if only those FAC holders with poor mental health are at an increased risk of firearm related death, including suicide. (iv) the rate of presentation of new mental/cognitive health conditions amongst FAC holders.

The proposed project will provide crucial information on the mental, cognitive health, and suicide risk of individuals with a firearm in NI and will help inform policy around public safety and suicide prevention.

14/01/2020

TRE