VA suicide prevention efforts need more focus on gun safety training

Agree. Blaming guns for suicide is too easy - the logic fallacy of that assumption is if there were no guns, then over half of the suicides would go away.

Gun safety should always be paramount. Proper storage and securing of firearms should be done regardless of the reason, but "prevention of suicide by focusing on gun safety training" assumes away the underlaying cause in the first place.

Heck, going with the assumption that "if people just were safe with guns, we can reduce suicide" is a sexist outlook. For females between 15 and 44, suffocation is the most common form of suicide. Where's the "How to properly vent carbon monoxide" classes to reduce the suicide rates there?

While it is important to understand the "how it was done", it is much more important to understand the "why it was done" and "how do we change that mindset".

If someone is suicidal, and the first method is not available to them, they aren't going to stop. They'll just move onto their number two choice.

Definitely!

I agree, mental health assistance right away would be more helpful.