Suicide in Military and Veteran Populations: A View Across the Five Eyes Nations

Abstract

Objective

This commentary highlights challenges and opportunities in suicide prevention across the military and veteran populations of the Five Eyes nations.

Methods

Trends in suicides and suicidality in military and veteran populations are outlined, as well as identified risk and protective factors, and approaches to suicide prevention.

Results

Suicide risk is higher in veterans compared to current serving and community samples. Despite extensive research, the causation, prediction, and prevention of suicide, is still not well understood. We propose areas for further attention in prevention strategies.

Conclusion

Suicide and suicidality are issues of concern in military and veteran populations. Suicide prevention requires commitment to continuous improvement through research, analysis, and incorporation of evolving best practice.

Acknowledgments

The Mental Health Research and Innovation Collaborative in military and veteran mental health across the Five Eyes nations (Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand) includes Amy B. Adler, Clare Bennett, Richard Bryant, Walter Busuttil, John Cooper, Stephen Cozza, Mark Creamer, Heidi Cramm, Nicola Fear, Deniz Fikretoglu, David Forbes (Co-Chair), Neil Greenberg, Alexandra Heber, Charles W. Hoge, Fardous Hosseiny, Rakesh Jetly, Stephen Kearney, Alexander McFarlane, Joshua Morganstein, Dominic Murphy, Anthony Nazarov, MaryAnn Notarianni, Meaghan O’Donnell, David Pedlar (Co-Chair), Andrea Phelps, Don J. Richardson, Nicole Sadler, Paula P. Schnurr, Marie-Louise Sharp, Robert Ursano, Miranda Van Hooff & Simon Wessely.

DISCLAIMER

The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences or the Department of Defense.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nicole Sadler

Nicole L. Sadler, MPsych (Clin), Enterprise Professor and Director of Policy and Practice, Phoenix Australia—Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

David Pedlar

David Pedlar, PhD, Scientific Director of the Canadian Institute of Military and Veteran Health Research and Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Robert Ursano

Robert J. Ursano, MD, Professor Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Director Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, United States.