One of the major problems and issues that affect many veterans around the country is suicide. Over the years the rate of suicides among veterans has risen and higher rates than the general population, according to researchers.
According to a new study, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry, there are several factors that put veterans at higher risks of committing suicide and there are ways in which the veterans can reduce their chances of committing suicide. The study looked at a large group of veterans and also the active service members. They then used the data collected to determine timing that puts veterans at higher risks of suicide and the other contributing factors hence be able to help them combat the problem.
The authors involved in the study reported that the deployment context is very important in identifying the suicide attempt (SA) risk among Army-enlisted soldiers and also among the veterans. They further noted that, "A life/career history perspective can assist in identifying high-risk segments of a population based on factors such as timing, environmental context and individual characteristics."
Researchers from several prestigious institutions like the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Harvard Medical School, and the University of California-San Diego took part in the study. The researchers examined data collected from 163,178 enlisted soldiers. Out of that number of serving soldiers 9,650 had at one point attempted suicide during the study period which was between 2004 and 2009.
From the study, the authors discovered some shocking information and results, which included the surprising fact that the enlisted soldiers, who had never been deployed on any mission, accounted for 61.1 percent of the enlisted soldiers who attempted suicide.
Among the serving soldiers who have never been in any deployment, the risk of suicide attempt was highest when they reached their second month of service. While those had been in any form of deployment were at the highest risk just six months into deployment. While those who had been deployed and had returned back home were at the highest risk, five months after getting back home was their highest risk time.
The study also showed that the suicide attempts were more common among the female soldiers and veterans. Especially the female soldiers and ex-soldiers, who had received a mental health diagnosis in the past month. The other group was the group that had been found to be suffering from any form of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The case worsens for this last group if the affected soldier had also been deployed in the past.
Dr. David Rudd, who is a clinical psychologist and focuses on veteran issues. Rudd is also the current President of the University of Memphis, while speaking to ABC News said that the findings from the study showed how the soldiers often show signs of distress early into their service. It showed that it’s important for the senior officials who are in the military to look for these early signs of difficulty shown by many soldiers in their early days in the service.
Rudd commented on the fact that suicides rates are at high levels among soldiers who have not been deployed means that the army officials should focus on improving screening measures before service. As this will be able to help them to identify the people who are unable to cope with the stressors of the military occupation.
