Veteran Suicide: Not Just a VA Issue; It's a U.S. Issue
Authors: Michael Hogan
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2019)

Editorials3 September 2019Veteran Suicide: Not Just a VA Issue; It's a U.S. IssueMichael Hogan, PhDMichael Hogan, PhDCase Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio (M.H.)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/M19-1796 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, and its rates are increasing. It has become a crushing problem among veterans, with 20 deaths a day. Sall and colleagues (1) have presented a synopsis of the 2019 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) joint clinical practice guideline on the assessment and management of patients at risk for suicide. This guideline updates the VA's 2013 recommendations (2), strengthening what was already the strongest clinical guidance regarding suicide, and has the potential to improve the quality of care for at-risk patients. However, these ...References1. Sall J, Brenner L, Millikan Bell AM, et al. Assessment and management of patients at risk for suicide: synopsis of the 2019 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense clinical practice guidelines. Ann Intern Med. 2019;171:343-53. doi:10.7326/M19-0687 LinkGoogle Scholar2. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense. VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide. Accessed at www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/MH/srb/VADODCP_SuicideRisk_Full.pdf on 31 July 2019. Google Scholar3. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA National Suicide Data Report 2005–2016. September 2018. Accessed at www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/OMHSP_National_Suicide_Data_Report_2005-2016_508.pdf on 31 July 2019. Google Scholar4. Shenassa ED, Catlin SN, Buka SL. Lethality of firearms relative to other suicide methods: a population based study. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2003;57:120-4. [PMID: 12540687] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Grumet JG, Hogan MF, Chu A, et al. Compliance standards pave the way for reducing suicide in health care systems. Journal of Healthcare Compliance. 2019;21:17-26. Google Scholar6. The Joint Commission. National Patient Safety Goal for suicide prevention. Accessed at www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/R3_18_Suicide_prevention_HAP_BHC_5_6_19_Rev5.pdf on 31 July 2019. Google Scholar7. Knox KL, Pflanz S, Talcott GW, et al. The US Air Force suicide prevention program: implications for public health policy. Am J Public Health. 2010;100:2457-63. [PMID: 20466973] doi:10.2105/AJPH.2009.159871 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. Walrath C, Garraza LG, Reid H, et al. Impact of the Garrett Lee Smith youth suicide prevention program on suicide mortality. Am J Public Health. 2015;105:986-93. [PMID: 25790418] doi:10.2105/AJPH.2014.302496 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. Garraza LC, Walrath C, Kuiper N, et al. The impact of GLS prevention activities on youth suicide mortality from 2006 to 2015. Presented at the 51st American Association of Suicidology Conference, Washington, DC, 18–21 April 2018. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio (M.H.)Disclosures: The author has disclosed no conflicts of interest. The form can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M19-1796.Corresponding Author: Michael Hogan, PhD, 88 McGuffey Lane, Delmar, NY 12054; e-mail, dr.m.[email protected]com.This article was published at Annals.org on 27 August 2019. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoAssessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide: Synopsis of the 2019 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guidelines James Sall , Lisa Brenner , Amy M. Millikan Bell , and Michael J. Colston Treatments for the Prevention and Management of Suicide Kristen E. D'Anci , Stacey Uhl , Gina Giradi , and Constance Martin Metrics Cited byHealth Care for Our Nation's Veterans: A Policy Paper From the American College of PhysiciansRyan Crowley, BSJ, Omar Atiq, MD, David Hilden, MD, MPH, and Thomas G. Cooney, MD, for the Health and Public Policy Committee of the American College of Physicians* 3 September 2019Volume 171, Issue 5Page: 372-373KeywordsFirearm injuriesHealth careMedicarePsychiatry and mental healthResearch grantsSubstance abuseSuicideSystematic reviewsTreatment guidelinesVeteran care ePublished: 27 August 2019 Issue Published: 3 September 2019 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2019 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...