Suicide Prevention for Veterans and Active Duty Personnel

Abstract

A considerable body of research has identified correlates of suicide at the genetic, neurologic, psychological, social, and cultural levels. Among risk characteristics identified in existing studies, current or former military service has emerged as a topic of considerable scientific and public interest. Of those who die from suicide, veterans and active duty military personnel represent a select group with considerable heterogeneity in individual characteristics and life histories. Such heterogeneity in individuallevel characteristics and precipitating events carries with it the potential to obfuscate relationships between individual risk factors, experiences uniquely associated with military service, and social and cultural factors. Despite these challenges, results from existing studies suggest that history of military service is an element worthy of consideration in efforts to address the complex and multifaceted nature of intentional self-harm. Given the intricate etiology of suicide and limitations of current data systems, it is not surprising that uncertainty surrounds the exact nature of the relationships between history of military service and suicide.1 Moreover, the unique experiences of different military cohorts may play a key role as major contextual factors given the diverse range of exposures experienced by different cohorts.