
ALT We conducted a systematic search in 6 databases to review the current state of Lethal Means Safety Counseling interventions across study designs, settings, messengers, populations, and injury prevention levels. Eligibility criteria: any individual or group receiving a LMSC intervention involving a human-to-human component aiming to influence adult behaviors related to lethal suicide methods, and outcome assessment of storage behaviors and/or suicidal self-directed violence (SDV). 14 of 19 studies assessing behavioral change reported a significant improvement in safe storage behaviors. All studies measuring acceptability reported participants found the interventions favorable. Limited quality of evidence. No studies were rated low risk of bias. 77% were rated high risk of bias. Higher quality trials conducted across a variety of settings, particularly those focusing on adults at risk of suicide, are needed.

ALT The authors assessed current knowledge of the role of caller gender in the use of crisis hotlines for suicide, specifically whether there are differences in frequency, reason for call and caller outcomes by gender. Overall, women represent a higher percentage of calls to crisis hotlines worldwide, despite men having higher rates of suicide. Primary reasons for calling hotlines were the same for men and women, regardless of geography or culture. When gender differences in reason for call were reported, they were consistent with literature documenting gender differences in the prevalence of risk factors for suicide, including higher rates of substance use among men and higher instances of domestic violence/abuse among women. There was variability in the studies the authors examined. This review was limited to research on crisis telephone hotlines and did not include text or chat services. Due to data reporting, the findings are constrained to reporting on a male/female gender binary.












