Differences Between Veteran Suicides With and Without Psychiatric Symptoms

Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine all suicides 2 geographic areas of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) over a 7-year period and to perform detailed reviews on the subsample that had a VHA visit in the last year of life this involved 381 veterans. Within this sample, the authors compared a group with 1 or more documented psychiatric symptoms (68.5%) to a group with no such symptoms (31.5%). The groups were compared on suicidal thoughts and behaviors, other symptoms, and stressors and on time to death after the last visit. The results showed veterans with documented psychiatric symptoms were more likely to receive a suicide risk assessment, and have suicidal ideation and a suicide plan, sleep problems, pain, and several stressors. These veterans were also more likely to die in the 60 days after their last visit. The findings indicated the presence of 2 large and distinct groups of veterans at risk for suicide in the VHA, underscoring the value of tailored prevention strategies, including approaches suitable for those without identified psychiatric symptoms.