To characterize the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) among US military veterans and identify associated factors and mental health treatment utilization.
Approach:
Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis of data from the 2025 to 2026 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS), involving 2636 US military veterans.
Data Collection: Participants completed a 40-minute anonymous web-based survey, with poststratification weights applied for generalizability.
Key Findings:
9.0% of veterans reported past 2-week suicidal ideation.
7.3% reported lifetime suicide planning.
3.9% reported a lifetime suicide attempt.
Major depressive disorder (MDD), younger age, PTSD, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were strongly associated with STBs.
Only 35.5% of veterans with suicidal ideation were engaged in mental health treatment.
Interpretation:
The study highlights the prevalence of STBs among veterans and the low engagement in mental health treatment despite high risk.
Limitations:
The study relies on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias.
Cross-sectional design limits causal inferences.
Conclusion:
The findings underscore the need for targeted mental health interventions for veterans, particularly those with identified risk factors.
