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Suicidal behavior, mental health care utilization higher in Canadian military

In 2012 to 2013, Canadian Forces personnel were significantly more likely to experience suicidal ideation, make suicide plans and use mental health services than the general population.

“A recent report on suicides in the Canadian Forces did not find an overall increase in the prevalence of suicide between 1995 and 2014. However, the prevalence increased substantially over that time in the subgroup of male army personnel in the Regular Force,” Jitender Sareen, MD, of the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, and colleagues wrote. “In the United States, the army has observed steady increases in the prevalence of suicide attempts and completed suicide by soldiers since 2004, whereas the prevalence of suicide has remained unchanged in the general population.”

Jitender Sareen

To assess prevalence of suicidal behavior and use of mental health services among Canadian military personnel in comparison with the general population, researchers analyzed data from four nationally representative surveys by Statistics Canada. Surveys of the general population were conducted in 2002 (n = 25,643) and 2012 (n = 15,981). Surveys of military personnel were conducted in 2002 (n = 5,153) and 2013 (n = 6,700). Participants were aged 18 to 60 years.

Military personnel had significant higher risk for lifetime (adjusted OR = 1.32; 95% CI, 1.17-1.5) and past-year (aOR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.09-1.66) suicidal ideation in 2012 and 2013, but not 2002, compared with the general population.

Risk for lifetime (aOR = 1.64; 95% CI, 1.35-1.99) and past-year (aOR = 1.66; 95% CI, 1.18-2.33) suicidal plans was also significantly higher among military personnel in 2012 and 2013, but not 2002, compared with the general population.

Military personnel who reported past-year suicidal ideation had significantly higher rates of past-year utilization of mental health services, compared with those in the general population in 2002 (aOR = 2.02; 95% CI, 1.31-3.13) and 2012 to 2013 (aOR = 3.14; 95% CI, 1.86-5.28).

“During the 10-year study period, the prevalence of suicidal ideation and plans, and the use of mental health services were higher among Canadian Forces personnel than among civilians. Male military personnel had a significant increase in the lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts, and female military personnel had a significant decrease in the lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation. There were no significant trends in suicidal behavior among civilians over the same 10-year period,” the researchers wrote. “Investments in clinical services and research are required to address suicidal behavior among military and civilian populations.” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.