CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. The Nature and Scope of Suicide
2. Recognizing the Progressive Development of Suicide
3. Substance Abuse as a Major Contributor to Suicide
4. Suicide Across the Life Span
5. Special Populations and Suicide Risk
6. Prevention and Early Intervention for Suicide and Substance Abuse Problems

Supplements
References
Resources

Holding the Lifeline
A Guide to Suicide Prevention

Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel

Active duty military personnel serve in one of the most stressful occupations on the planet. They are frequently removed from their usual environment, sometimes for extended periods of time, and may be exposed to serious and prolonged violence.

Upon return to their homes, many veterans have changed in profound ways that may be difficult for them to share and hard for others to understand unless they have been in similar settings. Not surprisingly, a number of veterans who have seen active combat have experienced mental health and/or substance abuse problems, both while on active duty and once they return home.

The needs of active duty military and veterans are varied and complex. They may include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, substance abuse, and psychosocial adjustment upon returning home.

There are a number of studies on suicidal behaviors and veterans. Many regular or active duty military personnel come into daily contact with lethal means, such as firearms, which increases the opportunity for them to act on suicidal impulses. ref

One study found that firearm suicides accounted for 53 percent of all the suicide cases. Even more significant, workplace suicides occurred when personnel were alone, usually at the start of a work day in the morning. ref

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), both accompanied by and separate from substance abuse, also posed a significant risk factor for veterans. One study found that over time there was evidence of a strong continuity among PTSD, drug dependence, and suicidality.ref This study found that the strongest causal link of drug dependence on PTSD and suicidality was in young adulthood. Self-medication was more evident in later adulthood.