title: Suicide in peacekeepers: risk factors for suicide versus accidental death.
abstract: To investigate risk factors for suicide in veterans of peacekeeping, 43 suicides and 41 fatal accidents in Norwegian peacekeepers (1978 to 1995) were compared in a psychological autopsy study. Mental health problems were the most important risk factor for suicide. Both living alone and the break-up of a love relationship contributed uniquely to suicide risk, even when controlling for mental health problems. No peacekeeping-related factor was associated with suicide. Preventive measures should focus on firearms control, improved detection systems for mental health problems in the military, and peer support through veterans' associations.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Centre for Studies on Violence and Traumatic Stress, Ltd, Kirkeveien 166, Bygning 48 (Z), 0407 Oslo, Norway. siri.thoresen@nkvts.unirand.no
authors.forename: Siri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thoresen
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mehlum
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents / Q000401:mortality*; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008889:Military Personnel; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention