26 Jul Military Units With One Suicide Attempt At Greater Risk of Additional Attempts
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Ursano
Robert J. Ursano, M.D.
Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Director, Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Dept of Psychiatry
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Bethesda, MD
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: This study is part of the STARRS study- a study to identify risk and protective factors for suicide in US Army. Originally funded by NIMH it is not funded by DoD. It has been called the “Framingham study” for suicide and has been highly productive.
In this study we report that units with one suicide attempt are at increased risk of a second- indicating clustering of suicide attempts.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: This finding is important as it supports the development of “unit based” suicide attempt prevention strategies to limit the risk of suicide attempt
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: The study needs to be repeated in more recent data – and we are working on that now. In addition as above, studies are needed to develop unit based suicide attempt interventions to limit the risk of subsequent suicide attempts.
No disclosures
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
Last Updated on July 26, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD