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Financial Stressors and Suicide
Eric B Elbogen1,2,3, Tess A Gilbert4, Bryann B DeBeer1,5
1Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado.
JAMA Network Open
|July 27, 2026
Summary
Financial strain significantly increases suicide risk among veterans. Delinquent payments, repossessions, and credit score declines in the year prior to death were linked to higher odds of suicide.
Area of Science:
- Veterans Affairs
- Public Health
- Mental Health
Background:
- Financial strain is a known risk factor for suicide.
- Previous research has not utilized national credit data to examine financial stressors preceding suicide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess financial stressors in the 12 months preceding suicide in a national sample of veterans.
- To link financial, mortality, and healthcare records to identify suicide risk factors.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 5,000 veterans who died by suicide and 12,500 matched living controls.
- Financial stressors were identified using TransUnion credit records.
- Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to analyze the association between financial stressors and suicide.
Main Results:
- Suicide was associated with delinquent mortgage payments, repossessions, and past-due credit card payments.
- Lower credit scores and significant credit score declines were linked to increased suicide odds.
- Veterans with three or more financial stressors had substantially higher odds of suicide.
Conclusions:
- Financial stressors in the 12 months preceding death are significantly associated with suicide in veterans.
- Integrating financial stress assessment into clinical evaluations may improve suicide risk identification.
- Policy and research efforts should focus on mitigating financial stressors for comprehensive suicide prevention.
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