2023 14th Annual NUBE Conference

Clinicians in emergency mental health settings often conduct suicide and violence risk assessments, and firearms are a major contributor to injury and death from both. Evidence suggests that the majority of clinicians feel that preventing firearm injury is within the scope of their practice. However, survey research shows that most don’t routinely counsel at-risk patients, often citing lack of education on how to do so as a primary barrier. Many clinicians also report not knowing how to identify risk, not knowing how to open a conversation about firearms, and not knowing what interventions are available to them. Although the CMA, the AMA, the ACP, the APHA, the AAFP, and other major medical societies have endorsed clinicians’ role in reducing firearm injury, the topic remains largely absent from curricula to train medical and mental health care clinicians. Through this presentation of the BulletPoints 3A's framework, learners will learn how to identify risk for firearm-related harm, ask about access to firearms in a culturally appropriate manner, and, based on the level and type of risk, work with their patients and their families to reduce that risk. The presentation includes various clinical scenarios where the presence of a firearm increases the risk of harm, and explores ways mental health providers can put time and space between dangerous people and their firearms.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify risk for firearm-related violence and suicide.
2. Understand how to have culturally appropriate and respectful conversations with patients and their supports systems about firearms.
3. Describe available interventions for patients at risk of firearm-related harm, including mental health holds, temporary transfer, and civil protective orders.