Preventing Suicide among Young Veterans
Author Information
Author(s): Sareen Jitender, Belik Shay-Lee
Primary Institution: University of Manitoba
Hypothesis
Are young men who leave the UK Armed Forces at increased risk of suicide?
Conclusion
Young men under 24 who leave the UK Armed Forces are at a significantly higher risk of suicide compared to their peers.
Supporting Evidence
- Young male veterans under 24 are at two to three times higher risk of suicide than their peers.
- Soldiers with less than two years of service are at increased risk of suicide.
- Only one in five ex-military personnel who committed suicide had contact with mental health care.
Takeaway
This study shows that young veterans are more likely to hurt themselves than other young people, especially if they didn't serve long.
Methodology
The study compared suicide rates among veterans to those still serving and the general population using administrative data.
Potential Biases
There is a lack of detailed information about the specific reasons behind the suicides.
Limitations
The overall prevalence of suicide was low, and findings may not apply to other countries.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on individuals who left the UK Armed Forces, particularly young males.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website