Department of the Navy Suicide Incident Report (DONSIR): Summary of 1999-2004 Findings
Abstract
The Department of the Navy Suicide Incident Report (DONSIR) collects data on completed suicides in the Navy (USN) and Marine Corps (USMC). In this sixth annual report on the DONSIR, numbers conform to new DoD-wide guidelines regarding what suicide deaths should be included in active duty suicide rates and how those rates should be calculated. Between 1999 and 2004, 414 active-duty personnel within the DON (250 USN and 164 USMC) committed suicide. Most DON decedents were male, and suicide rates were significantly higher among men. The suicide rate was significantly lower for officers than for enlisted DON personnel. Suicide rates did not significantly differ, however, as a function of age, race, length of service, or enlisted paygrade. Suicides generally occurred while the decedent was on liberty and at a private residence. A firearm was the most commonly used method of committing suicide. Although the vast majority of deaths by firearm involved a private weapon, persons who had some military training with or access to a firearm were more likely than those who did not to use a gun to commit suicide. The general findings of this report echo previous annual DONSIR reports, reflecting stable results over time.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 21, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA574736
Entities
People
- Aaron D. Werbel
- Anthony P. Doran
- Cynthia J Thomsen
- Susan M. Hilton
- Valerie A. Stander
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center