#Loneliness among the strongest predictors of #suicidalbehavior

By Susan M. Strickland

Associate Director for Research and Evaluation for #SuicidePrevention, Office of #MentalHealth and #SuicidePrevention

Reducing feelings of loneliness and #socialisolation may reduce the likelihood of dying by #suicide.

Understanding risk and protective factors is important to preventing #Veteran suicides. “From Science to Practice” is a series of products designed to communicate the research in an easy-to-understand and quick-to-read format for clinicians and other stakeholders within VA and partnering organizations.

The latest issues address “Loneliness and Social Isolation – Risk Factors for #Suicide and Ways Veterans Differ from the General Population.”

Loneliness and social isolation

Loneliness is among the strongest predictors of #suicidalideation, #suicideattempts and other #suicidalbehavior. Furthermore, loneliness and social isolation have been linked to other physical and #mentalhealth outcomes.

Loneliness may also be more closely associated with suicidality and poor mental health than other aspects of social connection, such as perceptions of social support and interpersonal conflict.

Loneliness is common among Veterans, with one study finding that more than half of Veterans felt lonely some of the time or often. Veterans in particular may face barriers to involving others in their #mentalhealthcare, such as feeling as though they would be a burden or a desire for self-reliance.

Screening for loneliness among Veterans with #mentalhealthconditions may help identify those at risk for suicidal behavior. Resources such as the #VeteransCrisisLine and VA Reach Out are available to help Veterans experiencing loneliness.

#James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org                            Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

 
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How Veterans are different

Veterans die by suicide at a higher rate than non-Veterans. Veteran #suiciderates consistently increased between 2001 and 2018, and while Veteran suicide rates decreased at a faster pace than non-Veteran rates between 2018 and 2020, Veteran suicide rates continue to exceed those of non-Veterans. There are important differences between the Veteran and non-Veteran populations that may help to explain these disparate suicide rates.

Veterans may be more likely to have had adverse #childhood experiences, such as #bullying, emotional and physical abuse or #sexualtrauma than non-Veterans. Veterans also have experiences during their military service that may be risk factors for #suicidalthoughts and #behaviors, such as combat exposure and morally injurious events.

Veterans experience additional risk factors for suicide immediately following separation from service and throughout the rest of their life course. Veterans are more likely to report #suicidalideation and #suicideattempts during the transition to civilian life, as well as worsening #mentalhealth and social outcomes.

Moreover, Veterans in VA care experience a higher prevalence of mental and physical health conditions that are associated with #suiciderisk.

Want to know how you can help? Read “From Science to Practice” on “Loneliness and Social Isolation – Risk Factors for Suicide.”
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/2023/06/jamesdonaldson-on-mentalhealth-reducing-loneliness-may-reduce-the-likelihood-of-suicide/