Suicide Rates among Soldiers and Vets versus Civilians: Research, Data, and Trends
The emotional toll and overall trauma of being in combat cause many of our service men and women to struggle with mental health issues.
A report published in June of 2021 reveals that four times as many active duty service members and veterans have died by suicide versus our military members who have died during combat operations over the last 10+ years. (Reference 1)
Although each presiding presidential administration has attempted to gain control over the number of suicides seen among our soldiers, we try to bring to light some possible reasons why these numbers continue to rise.
As a disclaimer, Mental Health Technologies acknowledges that the root cause(s) of soldier and vet suicide remains elusive and that the below statements are a mixture of sourced data and thoughtful opinions. Any opinions mentioned should not be mistaken as factual.
Trends and Data
For years now, suicide rates among veterans versus nonveterans have been on the rise.
By 2018, there were 6,435 veterans that died by suicide, leaving us with data that shows 32 individuals per every 100,000 are taking their own lives. On the flip side, 40,075 nonveterans also committed suicide, which leads to a number of 17.2 individuals per every 100,000. Adjusted rates for the year 2019 show 27.5 per every 100,000 for veterans and 18.2 per every 100,000 for nonveterans. A decrease, yet still staggering.
The greatest determining factor between veterans and nonveterans are those that fall in the age category of 18 to 34. Data from 2018 shows us that 45.9 out of every 100,000 veterans in that age group die by suicide — nearly three times higher than nonveterans in the same age group.
Moreover, those aged 55 to 74 see a rate of 30.4 veterans out of every 100,000 succumb to suicide, whereas their nonveteran counterparts in the same age bracket are 17 out of every every 100,000.
In regards to the difference between men versus women, in 2018 the suicide rate for veteran women was almost two times higher than for nonveteran women. Furthermore, in the same year, suicide rates for veteran males were 1.2 times higher than for nonveteran males.
According to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), veterans who have a mental health diagnosis — including substance abuse — are more than double the risk of taking their own life via suicide than those who have never served in our armed forces.
More specifically, the rates among veterans with the highest rates of suicide had previously been diagnosed with (or shown symptoms of) bipolar disorder and opioid abuse disorder followed closely by schizophrenia and other substance abuse disorders. Many of those who took their own lives also had diagnoses of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Veterans who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) were also included in this data.
The method used to carry out their intentions is largely dependent on firearms. Once again using data reported in 2018, the percentage of veterans who died by suicide through the use of firearms is 68 percent versus 48 percent of nonveterans. Of the 68 percent of veterans who died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, 69 percent of them were male and 42 percent of them were female. In comparison, of the 48 percent of nonveteran deaths by self-inflicted firearm, 54 percent of them were men and 32 percent were women.
Currently, there is mixed data correlating the amount of combat exposure to the overall risk of suicide. In one study, it was determined that those who were deployed between the years 2001 and 2009 did not exhibit an increased risk. However, those that were deployed between 2004 and 2009 showed an elevated number of suicides. This data was gathered using both active duty and previously deployed soldiers.
Research and Practices
Given the rate of soldier and veteran suicide, the VA, state and federal government agencies, and veteran organizations believe that an uptick in advances and research seems necessary.
And there has, in fact, been notable progress in preventing these deaths.
Among the top prevention methods sits accurate screening assessment tools— such as with MHT. The VA has implemented its own screener that has been placed inside various VA settings. These tools screen all patients for risk of suicide and other mental health conditions. They are able to detect warning signs for those who may be at risk of hurting themselves and offer referral recommendations and treatment options.
The VA also has something that is referred to as the ReachVet Program. This program applies algorithms to statistical data that helps in identifying veterans that are at the highest risk of committing suicide. Each VA facility is sent a list each month for its most at-risk patients and proceeds to alert veteran health care providers of the information. In addition, for each vet that seeks care, a caring follow-up message is sent. In a study conducted back in 2001, statistical data showed that this simple act of a kind letter was, in fact, linked to a decrease in suicides.
Efforts have also been launched at a community level, as well. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has partnered with the VA to challenge and support mayors and governors throughout the United States to implement programs and services that target their local service members, veterans, and their families. As of November 2020, 27 states were actively participating in these programs.
The Direction of Future Research
Many studies regarding soldier and veteran suicide are ongoing. And, because many seek to receive help outside of the VA, that data isn’t readily available. In the data pulled for 2018, approximately 63 percent of those who died by suicide had not visited a VHA within a year of their demise.
There must be more research done on veterans and active duty service members who choose not to utilize the VHA.
Due to various reasons, a lot of veterans are unavailable for contact. Whether this is because they are homeless, in the correctional system, or received a dishonorable discharge—this large group of individuals is isolated from gathering data.
We must gain additional information on how to reach these individuals to provide help and support. (Reference 2)
MHT — Helping Physicians Diagnose and Treat Veterans Successfully
We at MHT thank our service men and women — both active duty and veterans — for their tremendous sacrifice in defending our country.
We understand the mental strain that can be put on our military and we strive to do our best in helping your physician to treat you accordingly.
MHT provides high-power tools that improve your health and overall path to wellness through a measurement-based care platform — allowing patients to safely answer questions in a private and protected sector and receive accurate diagnoses and referrals without cycling through multiple doctors.
A few of our screening assessments include:
PTSD
Suicidal ideation
Depression
Anxiety
Sleeping disorders
If you are a primary care physician looking to help your veteran population, please contact us today for a free 30-day trial.
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