How Investigation of Military Suicides can Improve Prevention Resources

Project Description Narrative:

In Wisconsin, death by suicide is the tenth leading cause of death. This rate is even higher for veteran and active-duty military service members. Of veterans who die by suicide, approximately 70% are not engaged with any health care services through the Veterans Administration. To better understand the true burden of veteran and active-military deaths by suicide, improved data collection is needed along with improved understanding of the life circumstances that preceded these deaths and the contributing factors that may have resulted in these disproportionately high suicide rates.

Through this award, project partners will aim to investigate the difference in circumstances which precede military-involved suicides, specifically as related to variances in access to benefits. New knowledge will be gained through qualitative analysis to inform decision makers on risk and protective factors, and ultimately to improve transitions of care and vital record reporting of military suicides.