Multiple TBI injuries increase suicide risk
December 12, 2018
Combat veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries (TBI) have a much greater risk of suicide than those who did not suffer such head injuries. A new VA study indicated veterans with multiple TBI injuries are about twice as likely to report having suicidal thoughts during a week when compared to veterans with no TBI injuries.
“Suicide is a major concern with veterans” and “the primer point of intervention is at the level of thinking about suicide. Identifying characteristics of veterans who are more likely to think about suicide is a high priority,” lead researcher Dr. Robert Shura of the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center in North Carolina said.
More than 800 combat veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars participated in the study. About half of them reported more than one TBI injury. Results indicate about a fifth of those reporting multiple TBI injuries also had suicidal thoughts during the prior week. About 10 percent of combat veterans without TBI injuries reported having suicidal thoughts during the same timeframe.
Veterans with one or more TBI injuries were most likely to be young Caucasian males, versus those with no TBI injuries. That indicates more young white males were engaged in combat roles than any other demographic.
While multiple TBI injuries are linked to increased suicide risk, researchers say many who have multiple injuries reported no suicide thoughts at all. Many others with one or no TBI injuries also reported having suicidal thoughts.
The VA’s Mid-Atlantic Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center published study results in the Psychological Services journal in November.