Premium
Suicide in Peacekeepers: Risk Factors for Suicide Versus Accidental Death
Author(s) -
Thoresen Siri,
Mehlum Lars
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
suicide and life‐threatening behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.544
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1943-278X
pISSN - 0363-0234
DOI - 10.1521/suli.2006.36.4.432
Subject(s) - norwegian , peacekeeping , suicide prevention , accidental , mental health , risk factor , occupational safety and health , psychiatry , medicine , poison control , psychology , medical emergency , political science , physics , pathology , acoustics , law , philosophy , linguistics
To investigate risk factors for suicide in veterans of peacekeeping, 43 suicides and 41 fatal accidents in Norwegian peacekeepers (1978 to 1995) were compared in a psychological autopsy study. Mental health problems were the most important risk factor for suicide. Both living alone and the break‐up of a love relationship contributed uniquely to suicide risk, even when controlling for mental health problems. No peacekeeping‐related factor was associated with suicide. Preventive measures should focus on firearms control, improved detection systems for mental health problems in the military, and peer support through veterans' associations.