Identifying release-related precursors to suicide among Canadian Veterans between 1976 and 2012

Abstract: The Veteran Suicide Mortality Study describes the risk of death by suicide for Canadian Veterans using data linkage at Statistics Canada. The study includes Veterans released with Regular Force or Reserve Force Class C service over the period 1976-2012. Both male and female Veterans had higher risk of suicide if they released at non-officer ranks. For men, the risk of suicide death peaked around four years after release from the military. For women, the risk of suicide death peaked around 20 years after release. This study provides information for the timing of prevention efforts.