An overview of suicide among veterans and evaluation of existing programs

Earlier this year, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released a comprehensive suicide data report. Included in this report were results from analyses of data on suicide and suicide prevention services obtained in support of VA suicide prevention programs and clinical care for those who use VA services.

The VA's Suicide Data Report (SDR) included information on all suicides reported in 21 states (1999-2010), information on all suicide-related events obtained from internal suicide behavior reports used to inform clinical care and case management for Veterans at high-risk for suicide (2009-2012), and calls to the national toll-free Veterans Crisis Line (2009-2012).

Results from analyses of mortality data suggest that the percentage of all suicides identified as Veterans of military service decreased between 2000-2004 and has remained comparatively constant in recent years and Veterans who have died from suicide are older than those without history of military service. Data from suicide behavior reports identified age-related trends in the rate of non-fatal suicide events among Veterans who use VA services, decreases in the overall suicide event rate among all users of VA services and 12 month repeat event rate, and recent service use for a majority of all Veterans with report of a non-fatal suicide event.

The presentation will include results from additional analyses included in the SDR, ongoing efforts to evaluate the impact of VA-supported suicide prevention programs, and outcomes among those with history of U.S. military service.