In 2010, Christen McGinnes felt she had "hit rock bottom and kept going." On October 22, 2010, she pointed her long-owned .357 revolver at her head, and pulled the trigger. Thankfully, Christen survived, and now is a devoted volunteer and advocate fighting for gun violence prevention. Suicide by gun comprises the largest portion of gun deaths in America: over 23,000 Americans die from firearm suicide each year--which is about 63 a day.

To talk about her story, her advocacy, and what myths around firearm suicide still persist,  hosts Kelly and JJ are joined not just by the great Christen McGinnes, but also by Ted C. Bonar, Psy.D.--a clinical psychologist, the Director of End Family Fire at Brady, and the Executive Director of the Clinical Readiness Project. (Also joining--Christen and Ted's dogs!)

Mentioned in this podcast:

• Behind the Bullet (BTB Productions )
• I Shot Myself in the Head and Survived (the Trace)
• Virginia Woman Rebuilds Her Life After Attempted Suicide (WAMU)
• End Family Fire Resources (End Family Fire)
• Gun Suicide Across the States(Brady)
• Suicide Is The Top Kind Of Gun Death. This PSA Wants That To Change (Bustle)

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Full transcripts and bibliographies of this episode are available at bradyunited.org/podcast.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. 
Music provided by: David “Drumcrazie” Curby
Special thanks to Hogan Lovells for their long-standing legal support 
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