VETERANS AND SUICIDE: VETERANS AND SUICIDE: A GROWING PROBLEM A GROWING PROBLEM

How big is the problem? How big is the problem? Suicide rates in the military and veterans population have historically been lower than the civilian rate Suicide rates in the military and veterans population have historically been lower than the civilian rate Beginning in 2003 the rate began to increase Beginning in 2003 the rate began to increase

How big is the problem? /2/6VMUu/Pab4m /2/6VMUu/Pab4m

Comparison of Rates: Veterans U.S. Civilian rate: 11.1 per 100,000 U.S. Civilian rate: 11.1 per 100,000 Veterans age 20-24: 22.9 per 100,000 Veterans age 20-24: 22.9 per 100,000 Veterans older than 24: 20 per 100,000 Veterans older than 24: 20 per 100,000 VA estimates 1,000 suicides per year for those receiving VHA services; 5,000 for those not VA estimates 1,000 suicides per year for those receiving VHA services; 5,000 for those not

Veteran Suicides by Gender 2009 data Veteran Suicides by Gender 2009 data Males: attempts 9,323 completions 676 completions 676 Females: attempts 1,342 completions 21 completions 21

Veteran Predictors: Males twice as likely as females Males twice as likely as females Caucasian Caucasian Over 12 years of education Over 12 years of education With physical activity limitations With physical activity limitations

Service Members % increase % increase ,100 suicides in the active duty population ,100 suicides in the active duty population Marines have highest rate: 24 per 100K Marines have highest rate: 24 per 100K Army second highest: 21.7 per 100K Army second highest: 21.7 per 100K Approx ratio of completions to attempts Approx ratio of completions to attempts

Relationship between Deployment and Suicide Army 2007 data: 43% of all suicides were post-deployment 43% of all suicides were post-deployment 31% were in theatre 31% were in theatre 26% never deployed 26% never deployed

Other Factors: Est. 30% of all cases involve alcohol and other drugs Est. 30% of all cases involve alcohol and other drugs Most Common Methods among SMs: Most Common Methods among SMs: Firearms- 51% Firearms- 51% Other methods- Hanging, Poisoning Other methods- Hanging, Poisoning

Risk Factors: Veterans (Martin et al., 2009) Combat Exposure Combat Exposure PTSD PTSD Mental Health Disorder Mental Health Disorder TBI TBI Poor Social Supports Poor Social Supports Access to Firearms or other methods Access to Firearms or other methods

Service Member Risk Factors: (Martin et al., 2009) Relationship Issues Relationship Issues Depression, isolation, hopelessness Depression, isolation, hopelessness Financial or Job Issues Financial or Job Issues Alcohol Abuse Alcohol Abuse Discharge Pending Discharge Pending Availability of Firearms Availability of Firearms Stress, exposure to extremes, deployment Stress, exposure to extremes, deployment

Military Protective Factors (Martin et al, 2009) Military Protective Factors (Martin et al, 2009) Social Support and sense of belonging Social Support and sense of belonging Leadership Responsibilities Leadership Responsibilities Effective Problem Solving Effective Problem Solving Unit Cohesion Unit Cohesion Assist Services Assist Services Healthy Lifestyle promotion Healthy Lifestyle promotion Spiritual Support Spiritual Support

Response to the Problem

AVAILABLE RESOURCES National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: TALK Press #1 for veterans TALK Press #1 for veterans

Available Resources (cont) *Center for Deployment Psychology – * *National Center for PTSD – *Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center – *Virginia Wounded Warrior Program wearevirginiaveterans.org