Suicide risk among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Veterans

Self-directed violence is a major public health problem that disproportionately affects subpopulations, such as Veteran populations and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations. However, to date, there is little information about the experiences of and suicide-related outcomes among the nearly one million people who identify both as LGBT and Veteran. For information about LGB Veterans compared with heterosexual Veterans, data from multiple states' Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data were pooled to examine prevalence estimates of past 12-month suicidal ideation and attempt as well as suicide-related correlates (e.g., frequent mental distress). For information about transgender Veterans compared with non-transgender Veterans, data were analyzed from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) electronic medical records and the Suicide Prevention Applications Network to examine the prevalence of suicidal behavior. Results from these studies revealed significantly elevated burdens of suicide-related outcomes among LGBT Veterans. Several future avenues of research are needed, such as discerning the etiologies of these disparities, testing theories of suicidal behavior with LGBT populations, and examining the reach of suicide prevention efforts among priority populations with elevated suicide risk. However, future research with LGBT Veterans hinges upon the ability to identify them within population-based and VA-base data systems.