An observational study of the pre-service vulnerabilities, in-service exposures and post-service antecedents of suicide in veterans of the UK Armed Forces, 2007-2018

Introduction Although there have been a number of epidemiological studies of suicide in veterans, there have been few in-depth studies of those who have died. Studies have not explored the relative contribution of pre-service, in-service and post-service factors. We aimed to investigate the adversities veterans face before they take their lives, their contact with support services that could be preventative and whether these differ in younger and older veterans.

Methods Using national databases of discharged personnel and suicide deaths, we identified deaths by suicide in personnel who left the UK Armed Forces (UKAF) between 2007 and 2018. We extracted information on the antecedents of suicide in a random sample of these deaths from official investigations, mostly coroners’ records.

Results In total, we obtained data for 145 individuals; 134 (92%) were male and 11 (8%) were female. Seven (5%) were from a minority ethnic group. The median age at death was 36 years (21–65 years). 18 (12%) veterans had experienced childhood adversity. Relatively few (10, 7%) experienced trauma relating to deployment on combat operations or had difficulty adjusting to civilian life (6, 4%). Most (140, 97%) veterans had been in contact with support services, particularly primary care (130, 90%), but undertreatment was common with only 10 (5%) veterans having received psychological intervention. Unemployment, alcohol and drug misuse, mental and physical ill health, workplace, housing and relationship problems were common antecedents.

Conclusions Veterans experience a range of challenges after leaving the UKAF. Common antecedents to suicide, such as self-harm, suicidal ideation and drug misuse, are open to intervention. However, despite most veterans seeking help from a range of support services, few were receiving psychological intervention. Prevention should also focus on addressing the needs of veterans beyond mental ill health, like employment and housing.