July 16, 2012: By the Numbers

July 16, 2012: By the Numbers

38 per 100,000 and 36 per 100,000

The suicide rates of OIF/OEF veterans using VHA services vs. the suicide rates of non-OIF/OEF veterans using VHA services, according to an article in the June 2012 issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology -- Psychopathology, Iraq and Afghanistan Service, and Suicide Among Veterans Health Administration Patients.

The researchers were attempting "to assess interrelationships between OEF/OIF status, psychiatric morbidity, and suicide mortality." Basically, they found none, although "a significant interaction was found between psychiatric conditions and OEF/OIF status," which further reinforces the need for mental health screening/intervention among OEF/OIF vets.

By way of comparison, the authors include 2007 CDC data indicating that the suicide rate among the general U.S. adult population was 24.1 per 100,000 in men and 6.1 per 100,000 in women.