Suicidal Behaviors in Military and Veteran Populations: Risk Factors and Strategies for Prevention and Intervention

Abstract

Over the past decade, suicide rates in the US Armed Forces have increased substantially, prompting considerable efforts to address this devastating public health concern. The effects of a suicide can echo through families, unit members, and the military community. Better understanding of the epidemiology of suicidality among soldiers, and increased ability to identify factors that predict or protect from suicidal thoughts and behaviors, have important implications for risk assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment planning. However, these phenomena have multiple determinants, and the interactions among preexisting vulnerabilities, stressors, and protective factors are complex. This chapter briefly summarizes suicidal behaviors among military servicemembers and veterans, including epidemiology and history, risk and protective factors, and prevention and treatment. Recent findings from the Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers-Longitudinal Study (STARRS-LS), the largest and most comprehensive study of mental health risk and resilience ever conducted in the US Army, are highlighted as an important step in improving the ability of organizations, policymakers, and health-care professionals to respond to this significant public health issue.