Surveillance of Suicidal Behavior: U.S. Army Active and Reserve Component Soldiers, 2019 and 2020
Abstract
The Defense Centers for Public Health Aberdeen routinely conducts surveillance of suicidal behaviors among U.S. Army Active and Reserve Component Soldiers. For 2020, the rates for Active Component (AC) Soldiers were 36 suicides and 90 suicide attempts per 100,000 AC Soldiers. Among both activated and non-activated Army National Guard (ARNG) and U.S. Army Reserve (USAR)Soldiers there were 31 suicides per 100,000 ARNG Soldiers and 22 suicides per 100,000 USAR Soldiers. Among activated ARNG and USAR Soldiers only, there were 91 suicide attempts per 100,000 activated ARNG Soldiers and 148 attempts per 100,000activated USAR Soldiers. Suicide rates increased from 2019 to 2020 for AC and ARNG Soldiers. Groups most at risk for suicide include male, younger (under 35 years of age), enlisted, and White AC and RC Soldiers while those most at risk for attempt include female, 1724-year-old, junior enlisted, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Black AC Soldiers. From 2016 to 2020, an increasing trend in suicide rates was found for AC Soldiers overall and for male, 1724-year-old, Black, and White AC Soldiers. These findings highlight the importance of developing and implementing effective suicide prevention programs across all components, of targeting high risk groups, and of continuous surveillance of suicidal behaviors and evaluation of prevention efforts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 20, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1211005
Entities
People
- Essie Pfauq
- Gabrielle Kaplansky
- Jennifer Stanley
- Maisha Toussant
Organizations
- United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine