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VETERAN SUICIDE
By Daniel R. Gaita, MA

Issue 1, Dec 2016

Discharge and Education Status are Key Predictors

Latest Data & Findings

The linked JAMA study included the findings of

nearly 4 million veteran records and concluded
that early separation (< 4 years) and discharges
that were not honorable were suicide risk factors.
Additionally the same study data demonstrated
higher rates for unmarried, junior enlisted Marines
that had a high school diploma or less. Rates of
suicide dropped off dramatically for senior enlisted
and officers with longer periods of service and
with four year or graduate degrees. Native
Americans demonstrated highest rates of suicide
followed by white and black service members.

According to two recently

released studies by the
Journal of American
Medicine, Psychiatry (JAMA)
and the Department of
Veterans Affairs, the key
predictors of veterans
suicides has far less to do
with combat, killing,
deployments, years on active
duty, branch of service,
MOS, or even PTSD. The real

factor, according to the

combined data of over 53
million veterans is status of
discharge and educational
attainment. The combined
data has fundamentally
flipped the paradigm of both
treatment and solution
strategies on its head while
simultaneously providing a
rather simple solution.

The above linked VA study included findings of

over 50 million veteran records since 1979 that
showed that 65% of veteran suicides were
committed by those aged 50 or older. Further, that
70% of suicides were by those that had not used
VA services. When considering the two studys
data sets our agency has determined that lack of
access to VA care as a result of less than honorable
discharges may be the main culprit.

The combined data sheds light on the primary

predictors and solutions

Get an Honorable Discharge and a College Degree

If we consider that 70% of the suicides shown in the VA Study
were by those who did not use the VA and also take into
consideration the JAMA study data that showed strong
association with number of years served, status of discharge
and educational attainment an epiphany occurs. We are able
to infer that the suicide dilemma may be very well caused by
lack of access to VA services due to ineligibility as a result of
less than honorable discharge determinations. Such
discharges often nullify access to VA care, the GI Bill, and

other vital resources for disability and educational benefits. In

many, but not all of the cases, these less than honorable
discharges are being issued to those that have undiagnosed
PTSD following combat and in most cases the cause is
unsatisfactory conduct which can not be tolerated in a
constant environment of war readiness. Young service
members and their SNCOs need to comprehend the
outcomes of their behavior and be instructed fully of the
potential consequences of less than honorable discharges.