Identifying Suicide-Related Predictors Using Overseas Airborne Infantry Brigade Serious Incident Reports

Area of Science:

• Military mental health
• Suicidology
• Public health

Background:

• Suicidal ideation and attempts are critical public health issues, particularly within the U.S. Military.
• U.S. Army suicide rates exceed civilian rates, with enlisted personnel at higher risk.
• Suicide-related serious incident reports (SR-SIRs) offer potential data for prevention but remain underutilized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze SR-SIRs among enlisted personnel in a U.S. Army brigade combat team (BCT) over a 4-year period.
• To assess the utility of SR-SIRs for suicide prevention planning.
• To identify risk factors differentiating suicide attempts from suicidal ideation.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 130 de-identified SR-SIRs (102 ideation, 28 attempts) from August 2018 to June 2022.
• Inclusion of enlisted personnel from an airborne infantry BCT stationed outside the continental U.S.
• Examination of 14 soldier characteristics and contextual factors to compare ideation and attempt incidents.

Main Results:

• Unit location and alcohol use at the time of the incident were significantly associated with suicide attempts.
• Suicide attempts occurred more frequently during off-duty hours.
• Soldiers who attempted suicide were more likely to have had prior contact with behavioral health services, though this did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions:

• SR-SIRs are a valuable, underutilized data source for military suicide prevention.
• Off-duty hours and alcohol consumption are identified risk factors for suicide attempts, especially in soldiers seeking behavioral health care.
• Targeted interventions for soldiers accessing behavioral health services during off-duty periods, coupled with alcohol risk education, may reduce suicide risk.