Editorial: Reducing barriers to mental health care will save lives in Virginia
Nobody wants to talk about suicide, but the escalating toll it takes in this country requires that we do so unflinchingly. There’s a mushrooming mental health crisis in this nation that we simply cannot ignore or brush aside, but rather must confront head on.
It’s not an easy conversation, and making tangible, effective progress requires sustained commitment, something Virginia historically has been unable to muster. But the well being of our communities — of our families, friends, neighbors and, in particular, our service members — demands we have those tough talks and do the difficult things if we hope to make a difference.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of deaths for all Americans, and was the leading cause of death, following unintentional injures, for those ages 10-14 and 25-34 in 2021. That year it was the third-leading killer of Americans ages 15-24, after unintentional injuries (first) and homicide (second), and fourth for those ages 35-44, the cohort that had the largest number of suicide deaths (7,862) that year.
Availability of firearms is a key factor in this. A 12-year study conducted by Stanford University researchers found men who owned handguns were eight times more likely to die of self-inflicted gunshot wounds than those who didn’t. For women, the likelihood is 35 times greater.
That doesn’t mean people who own firearms are more likely to kill themselves, but it does reflect the fact that those with access to guns and who try to take their own lives are likely to succeed. That compels us to put specific focus on firearm access as we look to strengthen mental health services across the commonwealth.
A 2016 study published by the National Institutes of Health, recently highlighted in the latest installment of the Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press “Shots Fired” series about gun violence in Hampton Roads, notes that “people went from contemplating suicide to attempting it in less than 30 minutes — sometimes in as few as five minutes.” Ready access to guns “is a major driver of the mortality rate of these attempts.”
That is especially concerning in our region, given the large military population — active duty and veterans — their likelihood to own firearms, and the rate of suicide reported in the military community, which is at an all-time high.
As with other types of gun violence, it’s important to remember that these are people, not statistics. Each suicide is a personal tragedy, the effects of which ripple across communities. Those left behind will spend their remaining days anguished over whether they missed warning signs and if they could have done more.
When it comes to those in crisis, the accessibility of effective care is paramount. Reducing barriers to receiving help should be the priority. And Virginia, after years of treading water in this area, is finally making progress.
A joint legislative subcommittee formed in 2014 committed to this important work and, over time, proposed a broad expansion of the mental health safety net in Virginia, ensuring more people in more places could access care more easily. Those reforms, and the money devoted to enacting them, are making a difference.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin bolstered that work through his “Right Help, Right Now” initiative, which was warmly embraced by the General Assembly. It emphasizes same-day care through expanded service capacity and reducing the criminalization of those in crisis. It’s a work in progress, but the trajectory is positive and laudable.
These efforts should be complemented with measures such as waiting periods for firearm purchases and the robust enforcement of red-flag laws that can prevent a tragedy. If easy access to a handgun increases the likelihood of someone in crisis making an irreversible choice, then putting distance between that person and gun is necessary.
As with all gun violence, there are no easy answers. But by confronting this problem rather than brushing it aside, we can make a difference in countless lives.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Local crisis services can be reached at 757-656-7755.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings