Educating medical professionals about suicide prevention among military veterans
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Debora Ganz
Abstract
The aim of this paper was to discuss the results of a review of literature related to suicide in military veteran populations. Suicide in veteran populations has been increasing in recent years, and continues to be a medical and social problem across the globe. For medical health professionals, knowledge of the risk factors for suicide, careful assessment, and appropriate interventions are key to suicide prevention. The main aim of this review is to better understand the risk factors present in veteran suicide and find ways by which to educate medical professionals in suicide prevention. Key suicide risk factors found in veteran populations include posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, physical injuries, substance use disorders, traumatic brain injury, combat-related guilt, access to firearms, and insufficient social support. Some psychosocial difficulties are unique to veteran populations, and medical professionals should be culturally sensitive to these factors. Psychosocial changes upon discharge from active duty, as well as stigma against mental health disorders and treatment, should also be considered and assessed. Given that general practitioners may be the first line of defense for these veterans, they should be educated in risk factors for veteran suicide and proper assessment techniques. Any suicide risk in a veteran population should be taken very seriously, and responded to appropriately.
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©2013 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Masthead
- Masthead
- Editorial
- Education of health professionals about adolescent psychiatry
- Review Articles
- Educating medical professionals about suicide prevention among military veterans
- Ecstasy use and serotonin syndrome: a neglected danger to adolescents and young adults prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- Child sexual abuse and the pathophysiology of suicide in adolescents and adults
- Suicidal behavior in Indian adolescents
- Use of antidepressants for major depressive disorder in children and adolescents: clinical considerations
- Educating health care trainees and professionals about suicide prevention in depressed adolescents
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dual disorders. Educational needs for an underdiagnosed condition
- Brain structural and functional changes in adolescents with psychiatric disorders
- Dating violence and suicidal behavior in adolescents
- Low testosterone levels may be associated with suicidal behavior in older men while high testosterone levels may be related to suicidal behavior in adolescents and young adults: a hypothesis
- Military sexual trauma as a determinant in the development of mental and physical illness in male and female veterans
- American juvenile justice system: history in the making
- The underexamined association between posttraumatic stress disorder, medical illness and suicidal behavior
- Prevention of suicidal behavior in adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder
- Bullying, psychiatric pathology and suicidal behavior
- Original Articles
- Educating medical students about adolescent maltreatment
- Cannabis use, addiction risk and functional impairment in youth seeking treatment for primary mood or anxiety concerns
- Does the physician density affect suicide rates among adolescents and young adults?
- Case Report
- Buprenorphine in the treatment of non-suicidal self-injury: a case series and discussion of the literature
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Masthead
- Masthead
- Editorial
- Education of health professionals about adolescent psychiatry
- Review Articles
- Educating medical professionals about suicide prevention among military veterans
- Ecstasy use and serotonin syndrome: a neglected danger to adolescents and young adults prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- Child sexual abuse and the pathophysiology of suicide in adolescents and adults
- Suicidal behavior in Indian adolescents
- Use of antidepressants for major depressive disorder in children and adolescents: clinical considerations
- Educating health care trainees and professionals about suicide prevention in depressed adolescents
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dual disorders. Educational needs for an underdiagnosed condition
- Brain structural and functional changes in adolescents with psychiatric disorders
- Dating violence and suicidal behavior in adolescents
- Low testosterone levels may be associated with suicidal behavior in older men while high testosterone levels may be related to suicidal behavior in adolescents and young adults: a hypothesis
- Military sexual trauma as a determinant in the development of mental and physical illness in male and female veterans
- American juvenile justice system: history in the making
- The underexamined association between posttraumatic stress disorder, medical illness and suicidal behavior
- Prevention of suicidal behavior in adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder
- Bullying, psychiatric pathology and suicidal behavior
- Original Articles
- Educating medical students about adolescent maltreatment
- Cannabis use, addiction risk and functional impairment in youth seeking treatment for primary mood or anxiety concerns
- Does the physician density affect suicide rates among adolescents and young adults?
- Case Report
- Buprenorphine in the treatment of non-suicidal self-injury: a case series and discussion of the literature
