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Suicidal and homicidal soldiers in deployment environments
Jeffrey V Hill1, Robert C Johnson, Richard A Barton
11st Infantry Division, Operation Iraqi Freedom II, Tikrit, Iraq.
Military Medicine
|April 11, 2006
Summary
Nearly 30% of deployed soldiers considered suicide and 16% considered homicide. Immediate interventions were required for 75 soldiers, with most returned to duty to maintain the fighting force.
Area of Science:
- Military mental health
- Deployment psychology
- Combat casualty care
Background:
- Suicidal and homicidal ideation pose significant challenges for mental health providers in deployed military settings.
- Understanding the prevalence and management of these issues is critical for soldier welfare and operational readiness.
Observation:
- A chart review of 425 deployed soldiers revealed that 127 (nearly 30%) reported suicidal ideation and 67 (nearly 16%) reported homicidal ideation within the past month.
- Of these, 75 cases were deemed severe enough to warrant immediate intervention, including unit watch, comprehensive treatment, and medical evacuation.
Findings:
- Five out of 75 high-risk soldiers were medically evacuated out of theater.
- The majority of soldiers requiring intervention were returned to duty, balancing risk mitigation with force preservation.
Implications:
- Effective management strategies for suicidal and homicidal soldiers in deployment are essential for maintaining troop strength.
- Balancing immediate safety with the long-term goal of returning soldiers to duty requires nuanced clinical decision-making.
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