While participating in a Zoom conference with other members of the New Hampshire Firearms Safety Coalition, of which I’ve been a proud member for a quarter century or so, I was reminded that I have not addressed here a topic NHFSC has strongly and successfully focused upon: suicide prevention.
The organization was founded by the late, great Elaine Frank, seen in our lead photo, when she led the Injury Prevention Center in Hanover, NH. This, thanks to Elaine, is the only organization I’ve ever seen which successfully brought together the warring factions of a major sociological debate to work for a positive common cause. NHFSC has included pro-gun and anti-gun activists along with neutral experts in the fields of public safety, injury prevention, and suicide prevention. I offer here an article on suicide prevention that I wrote several years ago for Backwoods Home magazine.
NHFSC’s approach has been widely copied in other states. It has saved lives. You can find more info on NHFSC on their website.
There IS a very effective solution for suicide prevention that EXISTS today. It’s legal, accessible and relatively affordable. It is ketamine therapy. It is likely 60% or so effective in treating suicidal ideation.
I have discussed this solution with Mas and a couple of other prominent members of the gun community. However, I have failed to inspire serious interest. My conclusion is that the gun-owning community is simply not interested in a discussion of suicide. As long as that situation persists we will make no progress on any front. Not on the one I see is most prominent, nor on any other front.
I use this drug personally. For 30+ months. It is fantastic for depression, suicidal ideation, bipolar, anxiety, PTSD/CPTSD and some other indications. If anyone is interested they can write me at IbizaMalta@KetamineTherapyForMentalHealth.com.