A Practical Review of Suicide Among Veterans: Preventive and Proactive Measures for Health Care Institutions and Providers

Abstract

Suicide rates among veterans are higher than those of the general US population. Although veterans compose only 7.6% of the US population, nearly 14% of American adult suicides are among veterans. The rate of suicide is 1.5 times higher among all veterans and 2.1 times higher among female veterans compared with the general population. Only 47% of all veterans are enrolled in the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System, leaving a large number either not receiving health care or receiving it outside the VA. Recent legislation has improved access to care for veterans outside the VA, highlighting the need for a broad public health approach to address veteran suicide and the need for all health care institutions and clinicians to be familiar with the unique health concerns in this population. The purpose of this narrative review was to summarize the risk factors contributing to veteran suicide and to provide guidance on how to assess and mitigate these risks. Suicide is preventable through recognition of risk and prompt intervention. Health care providers both inside and outside the VA system are uniquely situated at the intersection of the many contributing factors to veteran suicide and should have a structured, proactive approach to address the problem.

Editorial: Neuropsychiatric disorders in the veterans volume II: emerging evidence of precision medicine and complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches

“…Thousands of veterans lose their lives each year to suicide ( 2 ). Although veterans only comprise 7.6% of the US population, they are disproportionately affected by suicide, accounting for almost 14% of American adult suicides ( 3 ).Veterans are exposed to trauma, isolation, stress, and accessibility to firearms which are noted as some of the possible explanations for veterans being disproportionately affected by suicide ( 4 ). Along with suicide, depression is regarded as a common issue among military veterans and may even influence suicidal behavior in conjunction with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ( 5 ).…”

Profiles of vulnerability for suicide and self-harm in UK prisoners: Neurodisability, mood disturbance, substance use, and bullying

“…We utilised data from the prison’s usual screening tool here, which included variables which have been previously linked to an elevated risk of self-harm and/or suicide in prisons or in the general population. These included a mental health questionnaire [ 21 ]; Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) [ 22 , 23 ]; being bullied at school [ 24 ]; being excluded from school [ 25 ]; being homeless or marginally housed prior to prison [ 26 ]; being a veteran [ 27 ]; and current substance use problems [ 28 ]. A functional measure of neurodisability was also included.…”

The Health Status of the US Veterans: A Longitudinal Analysis of Surveillance Data Prior to and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Disparities in the prevalence of depression were identified in the NHANES study; females, White veterans, and veterans with low income levels or lower education levels had higher rates of depression [8]. In general, veterans have 1.5 times higher suicide rates than the general US population [9]. Additionally, veterans with mental health issues are especially at risk for suicide when compared to non-veterans [8,10].…”