National Veteran Suicide

Database Analysis
Cejamil Calderon
University of San Diego
 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention
Annual Report
● A large data set from the 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention
Annual Report suggests that veteran suicides is a national problem.
● Contributing factors of suicide include economic disparities,
homelessness, unemployment, level of military service-connected
disability status, community connection, and personal health and well-
being.
● Critical results of veteran suicides from were captured from 2005-2017
● 45,390 American adults died by suicide in 2017 and out of the 45,390
suicide deaths, 6,139 account for veterans.
● The data argues that suicide is truly a public health concern and there
should be a relentless pursuit of evidence-based clinical interventions and
preventions.
● the three levels of strategic focus to help veterans deal with suicide or
suicidal ideations. The national strategic plan has hopes of completely
eradicating future veteran suicides.
 Veteran Suicide Results & Graphs
U.S Adult Population of Suicide Deaths from 2005-2017
Veteran Suicide Results & Graphs continue
Veteran Suicide Deaths from 2005-2017
Veteran Suicide Results & Graphs continue
Male and Female Veteran Suicide from 2005-2017
Veteran Suicide Results & Graphs continue
Comparison on Non-Veteran and Veteran Suicide Deaths from 2005-
2017
 Conclusion/Future Recommendations
• Three levels of strategic focus to help veterans deal with
suicide.
1. Universal strategies aim to impact all veterans. Public awareness and
education campaigns
2. Selective strategies for veteran subgroups that may be at increased
risk for suicidal behaviors. Outreach for women veterans, veterans
with substance abuse challenges, and veterans that have been
recently separated from active military service.
3. Indicated strategy for veterans who are identified as high risk for
suicide. Indicated strategies include referral to the Veterans Crisis
Line, clinical review and the REACH VET (Recovery Engagement
And Coordination for Health – Veterans Enhanced Treatment)
program
Conclusion/Future Recommendations

President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End the National

Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS)

The Executive Order was signed by the President in March 2019. A

cabinet-level task force has been launched to develop this national
roadmap for suicide prevention, which will include proposals and
plans addressing cross-sector integration and collaboration, a national
research strategy, and a cohesive implementation
Questions ? & Resources
 References
● Cerel, J., Brown, M. M., Maple, M., Singleton, M., Venne, J., Moore, M., & Flaherty, C. (2018). How Many People Are Exposed

to Suicide? Not Six. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 49(2), 529–534. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12450

● Eibner C., Krull H., Brown KM., Cefalu M., Mulcahy AW., Pollard M., Shetty K., Adamson DM., Amaral EF., Armour P.,

Beleche T., Bogdan O., Hastings J., Kapinos K., Kress A., Mendelsohn J., Ross R., Rutter CM., Weinick RM., Woods D., Hosek

SD., Farmer CM,. (2016). Current and Projected Characteristics and Unique Health Care Needs of the Patient Population Served

by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Rand health quarterly. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28083423/

● Mccarthy, J. F., Bossarte, R. M., Katz, I. R., Thompson, C., Kemp, J., Hannemann, C. M., … Schoenbaum, M. (2015).

Predictive Modeling and Concentration of the Risk of Suicide: Implications for Preventive Interventions in the US Department

of Veterans Affairs. American Journal of Public Health, 105(9), 1935–1942 https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2015.302737

● Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, 2005-2017 National Suicide Data Appendix (2019). Washington, DC; U.S.

Department of Veterans Affairs. https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/index.asp

● U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2019). 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. Retrieved from

https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2019/2019_National_Veteran_Suicide_Prevention_Annual_Report_508.pdf

● U.S Department of Veteran Affairs. (2020, October 26). Suicide and the COVID-19 pandemic. Suicide Prevention.

https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/index