A five-year study conducted by researchers at Arizona State University shows that between 2015 and 2019, one in five suicide victims in the state were veterans. The study was released this week by the ASU Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety.
Researchers analyzed multiple data sets, including death certificates issued by the state, autopsy reports from medical examiners and police reports. Veterans accounted for 20% of Arizona suicides during the time period.
Veterans historically have higher suicide rates than civilians.
The ASU study shows the suicide risk for male veterans was nearly double that of female veterans. Among diverse ethnic and racial groups, white veterans were most at-risk, followed by Black veterans and Hispanic veterans.
Firearms were used in nearly 80% of veteran suicides in Arizona during the study period.
https://cvpcs.asu.edu/sites/default/files/content/products/vet_report_2021_11_9_21pm_0.pdf
