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This report presents key statistics and insights into suicide rates among veterans, highlighting critical data from 2005. It reveals that suicide is the 11th leading cause of death, with 32,637 total suicide deaths, and emphasizes the disproportionate impact on male veterans aged 18-29. The report discusses VA's ongoing efforts to track and prevent suicides, including the role of cervical coping strategies, the impact of deployment, and the significance of veteran crisis hotlines. It aims to inform better prevention strategies and support for those in need.
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Suicide 101 Peter M. Gutierrez, Ph.D. VA VISN 19 MIRECC Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Colorado Denver School of Medicine
National Mortality Data - 2005 • 32,637 Suicide Deaths (11.0) • 25,907 Male Suicide Deaths (17.7) • 11th Leading Cause of Death • Rate for 25-34 y/o 12.4 • Colorado 6th Highest Rate (17.1) National Vital Statistics Reports, 56(10)
Estimated Attempts - 2005 • No Official National Data Compiled • 816,000 (25:1) • One Attempt Every 39 Seconds • 3 Female Attempts for Every Male National Vital Statistics Reports, 56(10)
VA Suicide Data Sources • VA relies on multiple sources of information to identify deaths that are potentially due to suicide • VA 's own Beneficiary Identification and Records Locator Subsystem • Records from the Social Security Administration • Data compiled by the National Center for Health Statistics in its National Death Index
National Death Index Matched to Service Members Separating 2002-2005 • VA examined OEF/OIF service members who separated from service in that time period • Male veterans 18-29 who used VA care died by suicide at a rate of 21.0/ 100,000, compared to veterans of that age who did not use VA for care (30.4)
NDI Findings Continued • Male veterans aged 30-64 who used VA for care died of suicide at a rate of 17.5 compared to a rate of 22.8 for those who did not use VA for care (ns) • only 3 women OEF/OIF veterans died of suicide through 2005, accurate rates within age groups cannot be calculated
VA Efforts to Track Suicide Attempts • Suicide Prevention Coordinators now compiling data on suicide attempts, of which they are aware, at all 153 medical centers nationwide • In place for past 22 months
* Indicates fewer than 3 deaths; "Veteran" indicates only that the person served in the US Armed Services
Lessons Learned from OEF/OIF Veterans • Qualitative study of combat veterans • Impacts of deployment • Coping strategies developed in theater don't work as well at home • Role of burdensomeness, failed belongingness, and habituation to painful stimuli Brenner et al., 2008
Suicidality and Psychiatric Admission – VA TBI Survivors • 22 Subjects • Total Number of Admissions: 114 • Median Number of Admissions: 3 • Range of Admissions: 1-20 Gutierrez, Huggins & Brenner, 2008
Suicidal Ideation Assessed at Time of Admission Gutierrez, Huggins & Brenner, 2008
Suicidal Ideation Present at Time of Admission Gutierrez, Huggins & Brenner, 2008
Number of Admissions Secondary to a Suicide Attempt 11% of total admissions Number of attempts 1-5 Median - 2 Gutierrez, Huggins & Brenner, 2008
Attempt Method Gutierrez, Huggins & Brenner, 2008
National Suicide Crisis Line 1-800-273-TALK • Press 1 for Veteran • Partnership with the Lifeline Program of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration • Went live July, 2007
Impact of VA Crisis Line - Nationally • As of April ‘09, more than 120,000 calls have come to the hotline from veterans, family members, or friends • 3060 rescues involving emergency services