Abstract: Firearm Suicide Prevention Strategies: A Scoping Review of Individual- and Clinical-Level Interventions (Society for Social Work and Research 31st Annual Conference)

Schedule:

Friday, January 22, 2027

Golden Gate 3 (Hilton San Francisco Union Square)

* noted as presenting author

Ines de Pierola, MS, Graduate Research Assistant, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Mehwish Dawood, MS, Graduate Research Assistant, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Tosin Alabi, Graduate Research Assistant, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Amamah Noor, Graduate Research Assistant, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Kylee Kern, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Nihitha Vimalan, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Wiley Thompson, PhD, Regional Director for OSU Extension, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Allison E. Myers, PhD, Associate Dean for Extension and Engagement, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Marilyn Thompson, PhD, Professor and School Head, Human Development and Family Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Background:
Firearm suicide accounts for more than half of all gun-related deaths in the United States, making it a critical focus for mental health prevention efforts. Social workers and other behavioral health providers are increasingly positioned to implement suicide prevention strategies, yet the evidence base for clinically actionable firearm-related interventions remains fragmented. Our scoping review synthesizes evidence on individual- and clinical-level firearm suicide prevention strategies to inform mental health practice and early intervention.

Methods:
Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a structured search of peer-reviewed literature (2016–2026) in PubMed and Web of Science using suicide-, prevention-, and firearm-related terms. Studies were limited to US-based, English-language research focused on firearm-specific suicide prevention at the individual or clinical level. From an initial pool of 3,085 records, 250 articles met inclusion criteria. Data were charted across intervention type, population, setting, study design, and outcomes.

Results:
Our evidence base was concentrated in lethal means counseling and secure storage interventions, including clinical counseling, firearm retailer partnerships, and lock distribution programs. Additional strategies included provider screening, out-of-home storage, and educational interventions. These approaches were often implemented in healthcare and community-based settings, highlighting opportunities for integration into routine mental health care. However, studies disproportionately focused on veterans, military populations, and firearm owners, with limited attention to adolescents, rural populations, and racial/ethnic minority groups. Most studies were descriptive or qualitative, with relatively few rigorous evaluations of intervention effectiveness.

Conclusions:
Individual- and clinical-level firearm suicide prevention strategies offer actionable tools for mental health providers but remain unevenly developed and evaluated. Strengthening the evidence base, particularly for underserved populations, and integrating lethal means safety into routine mental health practice are critical for advancing effective and equitable suicide prevention.