Journal of consulting and clinical psychology
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J Consult Clin Psychol · Jun 2012
Psychopathology, Iraq and Afghanistan service, and suicide among Veterans Health Administration patients.
Despite concerns regarding elevated psychiatric morbidity and suicide among veterans returning from Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF), little is known about the impact of psychiatric conditions on the risk of suicide in these veterans. To inform tailored suicide prevention efforts, it is important to assess interrelationships between OEF/OIF status, psychiatric morbidity, and suicide mortality. This study sought to examine potential associations between OEF/OIF status and suicide mortality among individuals receiving care in the Department of Veterans Affairs health system, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Analyses assessed potential interactions between OEF/OIF status and psychiatric conditions as predictors of suicide. ⋯ These findings highlight the importance of mental health screening and intervention for OEF/OIF veterans.