Assessment of a Risk Index for Suicide Attempts Among US Army Soldiers With Suicide Ideation

Key Points Question Is a short self-report battery associated with improved assessment of risk for suicide attempt among soldiers with suicide ideation? Findings This cohort study of 3649 soldiers participating in the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers survey found that a cross-validated model including self-reported history and severity of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, positive screens for mental disorders, and Army career characteristics was associated with administratively reported suicide attempts 18 to 45 months following baseline among respondents with lifetime suicide ideation at baseline. The 10% of those with suicide ideation who had the highest estimated risk accounted for 39.2% of subsequent suicide attempts. Meaning It may be feasible to develop a clinical risk index for suicide attempt given suicide ideation from a small number of self-report questions.

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