title: Suicidal behaviors and the use of mental health services among active duty Army soldiers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  U.S. Army personnel experience a significant mental health burden, particularly during times of war and multiple deployments. This study identified rates of suicidality (seriously considering or attempting suicide) and types of mental health services used in the past 12 months by active duty Army soldiers.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used the 2008 Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Military Personnel, which sampled 10,400 Army soldiers from a total population of 508,088 soldiers. Mental health service utilization included receiving counseling or therapy from a general medical doctor, receiving counseling or therapy from a mental health professional, and being prescribed medications for depression, anxiety, or sleep. Suicidality was assessed via self-report questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen percent had seriously considered or attempted suicide at some point in their lives, 7% since joining the military. One percent who reported suicidality since joining the Army reported having considered or attempted suicide in the past year. After the analyses adjusted for sociodemographic factors, soldiers who seriously considered or attempted suicide since joining the military versus those who did not were 1.71 times more likely to have used a mental health service, 2.33 times more likely to have used two or more types of services, 1.82 times more likely to have seen a mental health specialist, and 1.67 times more likely to have received medication in the past year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Understanding the relationship between suicidal thoughts and behaviors and the specific levels and types of mental health services received in this military population is important for health care provision and planning.
authors.forename: Jodi B A
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: McKibben
authors.forename: Carol S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Fullerton
authors.forename: Holly B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Herberman Mash
authors.forename: Matthew K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Nock
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Naifeh
authors.forename: Ronald C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Kessler
authors.forename: Murray B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Ursano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D059030:United States Department of Defense / Q000706:statistics & numerical data