Anyone faced with ongoing serious life stress can become at risk for suicide.  The key to reducing that risk is making sure that people get care prior to becoming suicidal.  Service members and their families may experience stressors that necessitate assistance from healthcare providers in order to prevent suicide. Some of those life events include physical or emotional injury, alcohol or substance abuse, and the loss of a loved one. Some studies suggest that the suicide rate may be as much as two times higher for male military veterans than civilians. The highest risk for suicide is among young, unmarried males in the military. Lower rank, heavy alcohol use, lack of advancement, and a sense of a loss of honor have also been identified as risk factors. Guardsmen and Reservists are of special concern given that they often reside in areas of the United States without sufficient access to healthcare services.

Anyone faced with ongoing serious life stress can become at risk for suicide.  The key to reducing that risk is making sure that people get care prior to becoming suicidal.  Service members and their families may experience stressors that necessitate assistance from healthcare providers in order to prevent suicide. Some of those life events include physical or emotional injury, alcohol or substance abuse, and the loss of a loved one. Some studies suggest that the suicide rate may be as much as two times higher for male military veterans than civilians. The highest risk for suicide is among young, unmarried males in the military. Lower rank, heavy alcohol use, lack of advancement, and a sense of a loss of honor have also been identified as risk factors. Guardsmen and Reservists are of special concern given that they often reside in areas of the United States without sufficient access to healthcare services.

The risks for suicide focus on life circumstances, such as career and relationship changes, biopsychosocial issues (which are medical and mental health-related), and cultural issues. It is important to note that about ninety percent of suicides are associated with mental health and substance abuse problems.

Life circumstances include the following:

• access to lethal means for self-harm
• completed suicides within the family or community
• loss of a job
• loss of an important relationship
• financial problems

Biopsychosocial issues include the following:

• history of abuse/family violence
• history of trauma
• medical health problems
• prior suicide attempt
• impulsiveness
• hopelessness
• aggressiveness
• mental health disorders
• alcohol and substance abuse

Cultural issues include the following:

• limited access to healthcare
• religious beliefs that support suicide as a solution
• negative attitudes towards getting help
• limited support

The risks for suicide focus on life circumstances, such as career and relationship changes, biopsychosocial issues (which are medical and mental health-related), and cultural issues. It is important to note that about ninety percent of suicides are associated with mental health and substance abuse problems.

Life circumstances include the following:

• access to lethal means for self-harm
• completed suicides within the family or community
• loss of a job
• loss of an important relationship
• financial problems

Biopsychosocial issues include the following:

• history of abuse/family violence
• history of trauma
• medical health problems
• prior suicide attempt
• impulsiveness
• hopelessness
• aggressiveness
• mental health disorders
• alcohol and substance abuse

Cultural issues include the following:

• limited access to healthcare
• religious beliefs that support suicide as a solution
• negative attitudes towards getting help
• limited support

Being aware of the warning signs for suicide can be extremely helpful in identifying the danger and getting appropriate help.  Warning signs include:

• talking or writing about death and ways to die
• showing sudden changes in mood or behavior
• sleeping or eating changes
• exhibiting reckless or risky behaviors
• exhibiting hopelessness about the future
• preparing a will
• giving things away
• making arrangements for pets
• unusual spending
• withdrawing from others

Being aware of the warning signs for suicide can be extremely helpful in identifying the danger and getting appropriate help.  Warning signs include:

• talking or writing about death and ways to die
• showing sudden changes in mood or behavior
• sleeping or eating changes
• exhibiting reckless or risky behaviors
• exhibiting hopelessness about the future
• preparing a will
• giving things away
• making arrangements for pets
• unusual spending
• withdrawing from others

Troops are less likely to kill themselves during combat operations due in part to the survival instinct. Post deployment can be a time when suicidality becomes more of a risk, especially when health problems are involved. While it can be very upsetting and frightening to talk about suicidal thoughts, feelings, or plans, service members should talk to a trusted spouse, other family member, friend, medical professional, or chaplain. If the service member has talked about an actual plan to commit suicide, seek help immediately from a medical professional through the installation military treatment facility or through a local civilian mental health clinic. If a service member becomes suicidal while deployed, he or she can talk to a member of the Combat Stress Control (CSC) Team, a medical professional, or a chaplain.

Troops are less likely to kill themselves during combat operations due in part to the survival instinct. Post deployment can be a time when suicidality becomes more of a risk, especially when health problems are involved. While it can be very upsetting and frightening to talk about suicidal thoughts, feelings, or plans, service members should talk to a trusted spouse, other family member, friend, medical professional, or chaplain. If the service member has talked about an actual plan to commit suicide, seek help immediately from a medical professional through the installation military treatment facility or through a local civilian mental health clinic. If a service member becomes suicidal while deployed, he or she can talk to a member of the Combat Stress Control (CSC) Team, a medical professional, or a chaplain.

CSC Teams are available as an added field resource to support the mental and emotional well-being of service members during deployments. These teams of mental health professionals are embedded with units to help service members address concerns at any time in the field. The mental health-related services are not limited in number of interactions and are at no cost to the service member. The teams are able to assess for suicidality and can make arrangements for emergency care if needed. CSC Teams have been used in many wars to provide immediate, on-site support in an attempt to help service members stay with their units whenever possible.

CSC Teams are available as an added field resource to support the mental and emotional well-being of service members during deployments. These teams of mental health professionals are embedded with units to help service members address concerns at any time in the field. The mental health-related services are not limited in number of interactions and are at no cost to the service member. The teams are able to assess for suicidality and can make arrangements for emergency care if needed. CSC Teams have been used in many wars to provide immediate, on-site support in an attempt to help service members stay with their units whenever possible.

Family readiness programs help family members learn more about the warning signs for suicide and other mental health problems. When someone appears to be struggling with suicidality, friends or family members can directly express concern and talk about what they have noticed in that individual's behavior or actions. If there is ever a concern that someone may be planning to commit suicide, friends and family members should seek help immediately from a medical professional through the installation Military Treatment Facility or through a local civilian mental health clinic.

Family readiness programs help family members learn more about the warning signs for suicide and other mental health problems. When someone appears to be struggling with suicidality, friends or family members can directly express concern and talk about what they have noticed in that individual's behavior or actions. If there is ever a concern that someone may be planning to commit suicide, friends and family members should seek help immediately from a medical professional through the installation Military Treatment Facility or through a local civilian mental health clinic.

Military mental health professionals are specifically trained to understand and help address issues related to the risk for suicide. After addressing any immediate or ongoing safety needs, treatment typically involves regular conversations with the professional focused on reducing and resolving the current symptoms, as well as becoming more educated about mental health and stressors in general.

During treatment the service member may be:

• assessed to accurately identify the problem
• provided with information about suicide prevention and underlying mental health or substance abuse conditions
• taught stress reduction techniques to reduce mind and body tension
• taught coping skills to improve functioning during daily life routines
• encouraged to take advantage of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address thoughts as they relate to emotions and behavior
• provided with medication to assist in symptom reduction if needed

Military mental health professionals are specifically trained to understand and help address issues related to the risk for suicide. After addressing any immediate or ongoing safety needs, treatment typically involves regular conversations with the professional focused on reducing and resolving the current symptoms, as well as becoming more educated about mental health and stressors in general.

During treatment the service member may be:

• assessed to accurately identify the problem
• provided with information about suicide prevention and underlying mental health or substance abuse conditions
• taught stress reduction techniques to reduce mind and body tension
• taught coping skills to improve functioning during daily life routines
• encouraged to take advantage of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address thoughts as they relate to emotions and behavior
• provided with medication to assist in symptom reduction if needed

Having suicidal thoughts and feelings or attempting suicide is not a sign of weakness. It is a clear sign that someone is in crisis and that access to healthcare and support is required. Service members who are able to recognize the risks and warning signs are demonstrating the ability to be adaptable and resilient which are key features of strength of character.

Having suicidal thoughts and feelings or attempting suicide is not a sign of weakness. It is a clear sign that someone is in crisis and that access to healthcare and support is required. Service members who are able to recognize the risks and warning signs are demonstrating the ability to be adaptable and resilient which are key features of strength of character.

There are some daily living routines that can help to protect an individual from becoming suicidal:

• nurturing supportive family connections
• making use of easy access to medical and mental health care
• becoming aware of resources for substance abuse treatment
• limiting access to lethal means for suicide
• developing good problem solving and overall life skills
• embracing beliefs that discourage suicide
• seeking out positive outlets for community involvement

There are some daily living routines that can help to protect an individual from becoming suicidal:

• nurturing supportive family connections
• making use of easy access to medical and mental health care
• becoming aware of resources for substance abuse treatment
• limiting access to lethal means for suicide
• developing good problem solving and overall life skills
• embracing beliefs that discourage suicide
• seeking out positive outlets for community involvement