Association of Premilitary Mental Health With Suicide Attempts During US Army Service

Key Points Question Is premilitary mental health associated with suicide attempts among soldiers who do not receive a mental health diagnosis before their suicide attempt? Findings This cohort study of 21 772 Regular Army enlisted soldiers found that suicide attempt risk peaked at the end of the first year of service for those who did and did not receive a mental health diagnosis. Premilitary mental health risk factors differed in the 2 groups. Meaning The findings of this study suggest that time course and preenlistment mental health status may aid in identifying suicide attempt risk in soldiers with and without a mental health diagnosis.

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