Are veterans with depression more at risk of suicide?

Yes, both active duty soldiers and veterans who are depressed are at higher risk of suicide. Depression actually appears to be a stronger risk element than PTSD. The suicide rate is elevated even among troops who have not seen deployment to active combat areas. Unfortunately, in 2009, more troops were lost to suicide than in active combat. Much work is being done to reverse this, both within the military and among the suicide prevention network. SPANUSA (Suicide Prevention Action Network USA – www.spanusa.org) works as the advocacy arm of the AFSP (American Foundation of Suicide Prevention – www.afsp.org).  They advocate for suicide prevention legislation, policy and funding in Washington, DC, on bills including The Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act (PL 110-110) enacting comprehensive suicide prevention services for military personnel. (for those with deep political interest, here’s a link to the bill itself: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ110.110.pdf, SPANUSA is always looking for good field advocates – check them out.)

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers a link (look to the column on the far left) specifically for veterans at: (www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org)

For survivors, help can be found at TAPS. This website is “the 24/7 tragedy assistance resource for ANYONE who has suffered the loss of a military loved one, regardless of the relationship to the deceased or the circumstance of the death.”  They are at: (http://www.taps.org/about.aspx) doing wonderful work.

Veterans with depression are at risk for suicide at a slightly higher rate than the general population, and younger white male veterans have the highest risk of all. Substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increase the risk of suicide among younger depressed veterans. However, older veterans with both depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have a lower suicide rate, possibly because they are more likely to be receiving treatment for their PTSD through Veterans Affairs programs. If your loved one is a veteran suffering from depression, watch for these warning signs of suicide:

• Talking about killing themselves, or someone else
• Talking or writing about death, guns, knives, or pillsAbuse of alcohol or illegal drugs
• Access to firearms
• Severe anxiety
• Hearing voices
• Spending too much time alone; avoidance of others
• Giving away their belongings
• Sudden outbursts of anger or aggression