C  CA Health Campaign of Uniformed Services University, www.usuhs.edu, and theCenter for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Bethesda, Maryland, www.CSTSonline.org

Suicide Facts:
What Military Families Should Know to Help
Loved Ones Who May Be At Risk
Suicide has increased dramatically infactors. Additionally, the reluctance
Suicide has increased dramaticallythe military since the start of the globalof service members to seek treatment
war on terrorism. Family members andplays a role in the delay in gettingin the military since the start of themilitary leaders are all working togethercare.
global war on terrorism.
to address the needs of our service
Suicide, by definition, is fatal — amembers and to get them the help andloss to the family and the nation.
care that will restore their hope and relieve their stress.
Those who attempt suicide and survive can be left with
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death amongserious injuries such as broken bones, brain damage,Americans. While suicide is a difficult topic to discuss,organ failure, and permanent physical disability. Suicide
it is an important one for military families because theaffects one’s family and community and leaves feelings
number of suicides is rising within the military population.
of despair, grief, and anger. Like any health problem, it is
The increased operational tempo, redeployment, combat
important to educate oneself about suicide. The more you
exposure to injury, and the impact on marital and family
know, the more likely you are to identify warning signs andrelationships create extreme stress and are contributing
to help prevent the loss or injury of a loved one.

Warning Signs
Thinking about suicide and making suicide plans are themost serious signs and require immediate assistance. Theseinclude:■ Talking about, threatening, or wanting to hurt/kill self
■ Obtaining means to kill/hurt self (e.g., obtainingfirearm, or pills)■ Conveying thoughts of death (e.g., “others are better off

without me,” “I never want to wake up again.”)Risk Factors
Men are 4 times more likely than women to diefrom suicide. However, women are 3 times as likely as
men to attempt suicide. In addition, suicide rates arehigh among young people and those over age 65.
Several factors can put a person at risk forattempting or completing suicide, but having theserisk factors does not always mean that suicide will
occur.

Other warning signs include:■ Prior suicide attempt■ Increase in alcohol or other substance use■ Family history of mental disorder■ Hopelessness (i.e., does not see way the situation will

■ Alcohol or other substance abusechange)■ Helplessness (i.e., feeling trapped, “there is no way outof this”)■ Worthlessness (i.e., feeling that he/she is not valued, “noone would miss me”)

■ Family history of suicide■ Family violence, including physical or sexualabuse■ Firearms in the home, the method used in morethan half of suicides■ Withdrawal (i.e., from hobbies, family, friends, and/orjob)■ Irritability, anger

Continued

Action Steps
If you are experiencing any of these signs/symptoms,please seek help. If someone you know is experiencing
these symptoms, please offer help. If you think someone
is suicidal, do not leave them alone. Try to get the person toseek immediate help from their doctor, bring them to thenearest hospital emergency room, or call 911. If possible,
try to eliminate access to firearms or other potential meansfor self-harm.

Resources■ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 			

1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)■ Suicide Prevention Resource Center: 				www.sprc.org■ American Association of Suicidology: 		

https://suicidology.org/ 				■ Military OneSource: 				1-800-342-9647 		
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/

Courage to Care is a health promotion campaign of Uniformed Services University
and its Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS). CSTS is the academicarm and a partnering Center of the Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) for
Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Department of Psychiatry
Uniformed Services University
4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799
www.CSTSonline.org