AFSP Launches Toolkit for Firearms Instructors Aimed at Suicide Prevention

AFSP calls firearms instructors to join lifesaving efforts through firearms education and safety 

January 27, 2025 — Firearms instructors can further help to save lives by including suicide prevention messaging in firearms courses. Today, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), one of the leading suicide research and prevention organizations in the U.S., launched its Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Firearms Instructors. Through a short, scripted slide deck comprised of evidence informed content, instructors will have more tools to easily educate participants in their firearms courses on how to prevent suicide in homes and in their communities.

“While more than 60% of firearms owners in the U.S. have received formal instruction in safety, most firearms courses to date do not include suicide prevention in their curriculum,” said Ryan Price, MPA, director of Special Projects, AFSP. “Suicide accounts for more than half of all firearms related deaths in the U.S. Including suicide prevention in firearms safety courses is critical. We call on firearms instructors to register to incorporate this their trainings and join us in our effort to save lives.”

AFSP recognizes we must take a public health approach to address firearms and suicide. This starts with recognizing misconceptions about lethal means. According to the 2024 Public Perception of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Poll, commissioned by AFSP, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) at EDC, and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), a critical educational gap exists, with only half of adults (49%) polled knowing that limiting access to lethal means, including firearms, can prevent suicide.

Suicide is a serious public health matter. AFSP is focused on taking a three-pronged approach – focusing on education, research and policy advocacy – to reduce harm to society from firearms and prevent suicide. At the core of this approach is providing research-based options that can help people keep themselves and their loved ones safe. AFSP is working to educate the public and provide steps they can take to minimize the risk posed when mental health struggles exist. The organization offers Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention, a community-based presentation that also covers firearms and educates about secure storage.

In addition to educating the public, AFSP works to promote public policies that make it easier for people to prevent suicide by firearms. AFSP advocates for policies and legislation that support voluntary removal and secure storage initiatives, expand research and public education on suicide and firearms, expand lethal means counseling and, in some cases, AFSP supports Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) or civil court orders that temporarily restrict firearm access for an individual who presents a high risk of harm to oneself or others.

From offering suicide prevention education for firearm retailers, range owners and firearms owners to encouraging secure storage, AFSP is taking action through public education and advocacy of legislation to save lives. In addition to its support of firearms instructors, AFSP developed brochures to provide practical guidance to firearm owners on suicide prevention, and for firearms retailers and range owners in the rare event that a suicide occurs at the facility.

Learn more about the Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Firearms Instructors at afsp.org/firearmsinstructors. and about AFSP’s efforts in firearms and suicide prevention at afsp.org/firearms-and-suicide-prevention.

About The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

As a reminder, suicide is a public health matter and most often a result of a mental health condition in combination with other risk factors. How we talk about suicide in the media can negatively or positively influence the health outcomes of those who are vulnerable to suicide. To reduce the risk of suicide contagion we encourage journalists to follow guidelines for reporting on suicide: afsp.org/safereporting.

Contact: For media inquiries, please contact AFSP through this link.