Skip to content
Original Research
J Clin Psychiatry
April 2026
Suicide Risk and Veterans Health Administration Utilization Among Those With a Documented Suicide Attempt in the US Military
Full Article
Read the complete peer-reviewed article in J Clin Psychiatry.
Clinical Summary
Veterans are at elevated suicide risk after leaving military service, and risk is especially concerning for those who attempted suicide shortly before separation. This study identifies how often that high-risk group connects with Veterans Health Administration care after discharge and how much postseparation suicide and mortality risk persists in the first 2 years.
FAQ
How much higher is suicide risk after separation for Veterans who had a documented suicide attempt during the last 2 years of active duty?
9 questions
Key Takeaways
Only 5,274 (0.5%) of 1,030,599 separating service members had a documented suicide attempt in the last 2 years of active duty, but this subgroup had markedly elevated postseparation risk, supporting targeted transition planning for a relatively small, identifiable population.
6 takeaways · 5 clinical pearls
Clinical Guide
How should clinicians prioritize postseparation VHA linkage and follow-up for service members with a documented suicide attempt in the last 2 years of active duty?
6 steps