What factor is critical in assessing the lethality of a suicide attempt?

Assessing the lethality of a suicide attempt fundamentally revolves around the access to means of suicide. This factor is critical because it directly influences the potential for a suicide attempt to result in death. When individuals have easy access to lethal means, such as firearms, certain medications, or other methods that can lead to fatal outcomes, the likelihood of a fatal suicide attempt increases significantly. This concept is rooted in the means restriction theory, which suggests that limiting access to means can reduce suicide rates.

While factors like age, gender, history of mental health treatment, and social support play important roles in understanding the risk of suicidal behavior and informing intervention strategies, they do not specifically correlate with the lethality of the attempt itself in the same way that access to means does. For example, a young person may be at risk due to their demographics or psychological history, but if they lack access to lethal means, the risk of a fatal attempt diminishes. Thus, understanding and addressing access to means is a vital component in assessing and mitigating the risk of lethality in suicide attempts.