title: Suicidal admissions in the United States military.
abstract: Suicide is currently the second leading cause of death in the U.S. military. Little recent research has been done on a well-defined cohort at high risk for death by suicide, which consist of military patients who attempt suicide or are admitted for suicidal ideation. As a pilot investigation based on a literature review of suicidal behavior in the U.S. military, 100 consecutive charts of suicidal patients at a tertiary military treatment facility were reviewed. The findings included the following: 94% were admitted with a depressed mood; 67% had a history of previous attempts or gestures; 49% had been treated with psychiatric medication prior to admission and 88% were treated with psychiatric medications while on the ward; 47% returned to a full duty status; 29% were recommended for administrative separation; and 18% were recommended for a medical board. Suggestions for future research are presented to help improve our suicide prevention programs.
authors.affiliation: Walter Reed Army Center, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Elspeth Cameron
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Ritchie
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Keppler
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rothberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology