Researchers found that Military veterans (2006-2015) with Traumatic brain injury (TBI) were more likely to die by suicide compared to those without a TBI diagnosis, according to a newly published study by researchers led by faculty from the Colorado University School of Medicine.

After adjusting for psychiatric diagnoses, such as depression, the researchers found that those with moderate or severe TBI were 2.45 times as likely to die by suicide compared to those without a TBI diagnosis….

“Together, these findings underscore the importance of understanding Veterans’ lifetime history of TBI to prevent future deaths by suicide, and support the implementation of screening initiatives for lifetime history of TBI among all individuals utilizing the VHA,” the researchers write in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. Moreover, the findings support research regarding lethal means safety among those with moderate to severe TBI.

More information: Trisha A. Hostetter et al, Suicide and Traumatic Brain Injury Among Individuals Seeking Veterans Health Administration Services Between Fiscal Years 2006 and 2015, Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation (2019). DOI: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000489