This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

Researchers observe lower suicide rates among veterans who use VHA services

From 2000 to 2010, the rate of suicide significantly decreased among veterans who used Veterans Health Administration services and increased for veterans who did not use those services and non-veterans, according to study findings in Psychiatric Services.

“Veterans are believed to be at high risk of suicide. However, research comparing suicide rates between veterans and non-veterans is limited, and even less is known regarding differences by history of Veterans Health Administration service use,” study researcher Claire A. Hoffmire, PhD, of the Veterans Affairs Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, and colleagues wrote.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, an estimated 22 veterans commit suicide every day.

Hoffmire and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs suicide database for 173,969 adult suicides that occurred across 23 states in 2000 to 2010.

When controlling for age and gender differences, the number of veteran suicides was approximately 20% higher than expected in 2000 (standardized mortality ratio = 1.19; 95% CI, 1.1-1.28) and 60% higher than expected in 2010 (SMR = 1.63; 95% CI, 1.58-1.68).

Female veterans had a higher increased risk for suicide in 2010 (SMR = 5.89) compared with male veterans (SMR = 1.54).

During the study period, suicide rates declined for veterans who used VHA services and remained lower than expected among this population from 2003 onward.

“This report offers new, valuable insight into changes in suicide among veterans during this period of national increase,” Hoffmire said in a press release. “[F]actors within the veteran population may make this group particularly susceptible to stressors and subsequent mental health conditions associated with increased risk of suicide, which may be partially mitigated by use of VHA services.” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosures: Healio.com/Psychiatry was unable to confirm relevant financial disclosures at the time of publication.