Suicide and Service Members: Suicide Increases While Combat Decreases

Abstract

This paper explores the risk factors, reasons, and solutions to the suicide rate among military service members and veterans with a concentration on 2011 statistics of United States Army service members. The suicide rate among military service members and veterans has increased from the year 2001 through 2012 although combat specifically has decreased. This paper examines the data provided in the Department of Defense (DOD) for the Department of Defense Suicide Evaluation Report (DODSER), Calendar Year 2011 Annual Report (2012) as well as other articles to suggest that implementation of better suicide prevention programs by the Army and other Department of Defense services, as well as programs for friends and family of service members, will positively influence a lower suicide rate among service members and veterans. It has also been noted that the reduction of stigma against mental illness and seeking help must continue to be reduced in order to lessen the rates of suicide. Research was conducted with online sources (Internet) and offline sources (non-Internet).

Document Details

• Document Type: Technical Report
• Publication Date: Apr 13, 2013
• Accession Number: AD1104578

Entities

People

• Kirsten R. Cruz

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Afghanistan Conflict
• Anxiety Disorders
• Brain Injuries
• Department Of Defense
• Families (Human)
• Health Services
• Injury Prevention
• Iraqi-War
• Mental Health
• Military Families
• Military Science
• Public Health
• Risk Factors
• Training
• Traumatic Stress Disorder
• United States
• Warfare

Fields of Study

• Psychology

Readers

• Personnel Management and Statistics in the Military and Department of Defense
• Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.
• Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Care for Military Service Members and Veterans with Limb Loss or Disability.