Reconsidering the Existing Paradigm for Suicide Prevention Among Older Adult Veterans and Other Americans

A review of findings from research on risk for suicide among older adult veterans by Sulllivan and colleagues 1 Sullivan JL Simons KV Mills WL Hilgeman MM Freytes IM Morin RT Bower ES Clark R Byers AL. A Paucity of Data on Veterans 65 and Older and Risk of Suicide: A Systematic Review. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2022; Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar identified several factors, including diagnosis with posttraumatic stress disorder and social isolation associated with increased risk for self-harm among older adult veterans. While this review will surely raise awareness of characteristics associated with suicide among older Veterans, the assumptions underlying much of the reviewed literature limit utility of these findings. In the following sections we provide a critical review of existing research, identify gaps in previous efforts and suggest ways for research and clinical services to improve on existing services.