Preventing suicide is one of VA's key priorities and is also a public health priority for the entire U.S. VA researchers are working to identify factors that increase the risk of suicide among Veterans and are planning studies to prevent suicide by directly responding to a Veteran's individual risk profile. Investigators are also building new tools to help manage risk factors, identify effective prevention strategies, and better ensure the successful transition of Veterans into the VA health care system.

Study: Different emotions may drive male, female Veterans to attempt suicide
A new VA study finds that a much different set of emotions may have driven male and female Veterans to attempt suicide.... (09/17/2020)

Can community engagement help Veterans at high risk of suicide?
A VA study aims to boost social connectedness among Veterans at high risk of suicide by getting them more involved in group activities such as music, tai chi, or fishing.... (04/22/2020)

Study finds strong ties between social stress factors and suicidal thoughts, attempts

A new study finds that social stress factors—such as violence, homelessness, unemployment, marital problems, and a lack of access to care—have strong connections among Veterans to suicidal thinking and suicide attempts.... (11/21/2019)

Suicide Prevention
"From Science to Practice" translates published research into informative tips that VA suicide prevention coordinators and providers can use to support their patients.... (10/24/2019)

Bronx VA psychiatrist-researcher cited for work in suicide prevention
Veteran Wilfredo Santo was so grateful for Dr. Marianne Goodman's suicide prevention program at the Bronx VA that he arranged to have a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of the physician-researcher.... (09/11/2019)

(09/11/2020)
WASHINGTON -- An ongoing Defense Department-directed epidemiological study recently got a helping hand that could help generate actionable recommendations to reduce military suicides. A new memorandum of agreement on the Study to Assess Risk & Resilience in Servicemembers, or STARRS, was inked July 27 to help produce actionable information for senior military leaders, said Col. Sheila Seitz, the STARRS deputy director and Army Reserve advisor.

News source: Army News Service

Virtual Hope Box smartphone app to prevent suicide
VA investigators teamed with Department of Defense colleagues to create a phone app, the Virtual Hope Box, that helps with suicide prevention.

Educational program increases Veterans' confidence in suicide crisis hotline

(09/11/2020)
Educating Veterans about the Veterans Crisis Line improves their views of the suicide prevention resource, found a study by the VA Center for Clinical Management and Research. The Veterans Crisis Line is a toll-free, confidential hotline staffed by mental health professionals 24 hours a day. It offers support and help to Veterans thinking about suicide. Usage numbers suggest that the hotline is likely underutilized by high-risk Veterans. Researchers developed a program to educate Veterans about the hotline. It includes discussing participants' perceived barriers and calling the hotline together with their therapist to provide firsthand experience with the service. Researchers provided the program to 301 Veterans. Preliminary results suggest that the program significantly increased Veterans' comfort with and confidence in the hotline. The program could increase the likelihood of high-risk Veterans in crisis using the hotline for help. The Veterans Crisis Line can be reached by calling 1-800-273-8255 or texting #838255. (Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, June 25, 2020)

Efforts to change sexual orientation increases suicidal thoughts, actions

(07/22/2020)
Efforts to change one’s sexual orientation lead to much higher rates of suicidal behavior, found a study by a VA Pittsburgh researcher and colleagues. Researchers looked at survey data from more than 1,500 non-transgender lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults. About 7% had experienced sexual orientation change efforts. These efforts, sometimes referred to as conversion therapy, include various approaches, meant to condition a person against attraction to the same gender. More than 80% of change efforts in the study were administered by religious leader. Participants who experienced change efforts were nearly twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives. Change efforts increased odds of planning to attempt suicide by 75%. Odds of a suicide attempt increased by 88% with change efforts. The results support minimizing exposure to sexual orientation change efforts and offering identity-confirming care to sexual minorities, say the researchers. (American Journal of Public Health, June 10, 2020)

Editorial: Pandemic could increase suicide risk

(04/16/2020)
An editorial by VA Puget Sound psychologists warns that COVID-19 may lead to increased risk of suicide. The “secondary consequences” of social distancing could put people at higher risk. These consequences include economic stress, social isolation, decreased community support, and barriers to mental health treatment. Increased national anxiety linked to 24/7 news coverage and a surge in U.S. gun sales could also raise the suicide risk for some, say the researchers. The editorial suggests several steps to improve suicide prevention during the crisis. Staying socially connected by telephone and video can help ease feelings of isolation. Efforts to increased access to mental health care, especially using telemedicine, could give at-risk patients the support they need. The authors also offer an optimistic view of one possible result of the pandemic. Suicide rates have historically declined after national disasters and tragedies such as the 9-11 terrorist attacks. It is possible that pulling together when facing trying times can strengthen social connectedness and make people feel that life is more precious, say the researchers. (JAMA Psychiatry, April 10, 2020)

Sexual dysfunction linked to suicidal thoughts in Veterans with PTSD

(01/30/2020)
Sexual dysfunction was linked to suicidal thoughts in Veterans with PTSD, in a San Diego VA study. Sexual dysfunction is common in people with PTSD. Researchers assessed 138 Veterans and their partners before they began couples-based PTSD treatment. The assessment showed that decreased sexual pleasure and decreased frequency of sexual intercourse were linked with more recent suicidal thoughts in male Veterans. For female Veterans, increased sexual frequency was marginally linked with increased suicidal thoughts. The results stress the importance of assessing sexual function as a component of mental health for Veterans with PTSD, say the researchers. (Archives of Sexual Behavior, Jan. 8, 2020)

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