Understanding and enhancing responses to suicide crises involving current serving and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF): A data linkage study

Suicidality (suicide ideation, plans, and attempts) is a source of morbidity and often precedes suicide death. It therefore presents as an important opportunity for proactive suicide prevention interactions to alleviate suffering for veterans, their families, and communities. Delivery of timely, targeted, and caring responses is necessary for individuals experiencing suicidality, but the evidence base about suicidality among veterans in Australia has been limited. This study provides information on the demographics and health of veterans who have had a suicide-related contact with police, paramedics or both, and their interactions and pathways through the health system. Specifically, this report examines: • Frequency of suicide-related contact between veterans and police or paramedics; • Demographic and health characteristics of veterans who were subject of a response; • Service use patterns 12-months before and after a suicide-related call to police or paramedics, including use of pharmaceuticals, with particular reference to those with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and • Mortality of veterans who were subject to a suicide-related call to police or paramedics.