An Investigation Comparing Suicide Rates of Veterans and Non

Suicide is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as “death as a result of injuring oneself with the intent to die” (CDC, 2019). In the United States (U.S.), Veterans are at an increased risk of suicide because of the potential exposure to conflicts and war. In 2001, the rate per 100,000 veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) that committed suicide was 39.90 compared to the overall United States suicide rate of 13.5 per 100,000 (CDC WONDER, 2015). Globally in 2001, the suicide rate per 100,000 people was 12.65 (Ritchie, 2020). Veterans are defined as those who have “served in the [United States] active military, naval or air service and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable” (M21-1MR, 2013). For the purpose of this paper, these Veterans will be those who are or have been enrolled in the VHA. Since 2001, there have been noticeable changes in the rate of suicide for Veterans in the United States Veterans Health Administration (VHA) versus the rates of suicide for the United States overall and Global populations. Due to available data, this review will primarily focus on the years surrounding the events that occurred on September 11, 2001 and will discuss the changes in the rate of veteran suicide as a result of the conflicts that followed that day. Finally, the Behavioral Ecological Model (BEM) will be used as a guide to understand how mental health contributes to suicide rates, particularly among the U.S. veteran population.