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Suicide Research Paper Assignment
Military social workers play a vital role in understanding the circumstances that
lead to playing critical roles in military camps, especially in addressing the high risk of suicide
attempts among service personnel. The harsh and inhumane conditions in which soldiers operate
suggest that they are profoundly unstable psychologically and emotionally. In addition to
comprehensive training and counseling programs designed to enhance soldiers' resilience in the
face of hostile work environments, suicide continues to be a significant concern in numerous
military locations worldwide (Beder, 2012).
As mental health and social work professionals, we have a duty to our clients to
recognize suicide risk and respond accordingly. We must identify and execute risk-reduction
initiatives. Recognizing these challenges and striving to be resilient while being well will help
lower the risk of suicide (Rubin, 2013). Suicide is an issue that is often underdiagnosed and,
hence, undertreated, especially among our service members. As social workers, we must also be
aware that some members of the military may resist seeking our help because of the negative
connotations connected with mental health. This is especially concerning since displaying
weakness and confessing to hardships is frequently looked down upon in that group. The
problem may be considerably more severe for military members than for civilians. This research
paper investigates various aspects related to suicide in the military, including its incidence and
rate, risk factors and causes, the role of social workers in addressing and managing the increasing
number of suicide cases, and the significant contribution that faith makes in restoring hope
among service members.
Suicide Incidence
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The escalating incidence of suicide within the military is an alarming trend. The suicide
rate among adult civilians is 1.5 times that of the armed forces (National Association of Social
Workers, 2020). Suicide ranks as the second leading cause of mortality among active-duty
personnel in the United States military, accounting for approximately 18 deaths per 100,000
personnel. Since 1999, the National Association of Social Workers reports that the number of
suicide deaths among military personnel has increased by 35% (NASW, 2020).
In addition to presenting a concerning scenario that calls for stakeholder action to stabilize, this
data highlights the critical role that military social workers have in helping to comprehend the
facts and statistics behind the high rate of suicide attempts among service members. More
recently, suicide rates among active-duty military people have increased consistently since 2011,
according to the Department of Defense's (DOD) Annual Report on Suicide in the Military.
Though both years remain lower than 2020, the 2022 rate is 3% higher than the 2021 rate. The
most recent year for which data is available, 2021, showed a 16% decrease in the rate for
military family members compared to 2020; however, this difference is not statistically
significant (DOD, 2023).
Military Suicide Risks and Causes
Suicide at military bases may be caused by a variety of unique factors, from physical
surroundings to individual characteristics. Having access to weapons makes suicide easier and
eliminates the need to struggle with alternative techniques like hanging. This makes firearm
availability a significant risk factor. According to Pruitt et al.'s (2019) research, 94.4% of
weapons used in suicide cases are personal belongings, accounting for 62.3% of instances
involving firearm usage. Rubin et al. (2013) further points out that having access to deadly
weapons increases the number of other variables that lead to suicide. Additionally, soldiers with
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a family history of unsupportive family members, mental instability, or child abuse have an
increased risk of committing suicide, according to the authors. Based on empirical evidence,
individuals from unstable family structures—particularly those who are divorced, separated, or
family less—exhibited the highest rates of suicide within the service (Service Suicide Research
Consortium, 2022).
Further consideration should be given to additional risk factors when comparing those
that contribute to suicide on a societal level. Among them are substance abuse and addiction,
depression, social isolation, ailments, and numerous forms of loss. However, a remote and
complex workplace may serve as a catalyst, especially for mental disorders such as depression
and stress, which are the primary causes of suicide on military bases (Stoddard et al., 2012). For
instance, personnel who are consistently deployed without adequate time for physical or mental
recuperation experience a decline in physical well-being and a compromised ability to endure the
rigors of the job. According to a report by the Military Suicide Research Consortium (2022), the
prevalence of mental illnesses among US service members has increased by 65% since 2000.
Specifically, 936,000 soldiers have been diagnosed with at least one mental health condition.
Alcohol consumption contributes to the escalation of mental health issues, such as manic-
depressive disorder, which subsequently impairs an individual's ability to exercise prudent
judgment.
An additional noteworthy determinant of soldier suicide is sexual trauma encountered
throughout one's military tenure. In addition to ongoing discomfort conditions, women who labor
in this high-stress environment also struggle with weight management, gastrointestinal issues,
and sexual dysfunction. These concerns might result in enduring psychological consequences.
While both men and women are susceptible to the negative consequences of working at hostile
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military sites, women are less resilient. They mayArequire supplementary assistance and
accommodations toAcarry out their responsibilities in a demanding setting. Dugan (2021) reports
that substantial sexual trauma affects 38% of men and 55% of women during their military
service, with 71% of female veterans seeking treatment to cope with the resulting mental
maladies. These individuals face an elevated risk of suicide due to their lack of access to the
necessary professional support systems. Female veterans have a sixfold increased risk of suicide
compared to female non-veterans, according to a recent study (Our Lady of the Lake University,
2021). Overall, the occupational milieu linked to military service exposes these vocations to the
peril of suicide.
Military Suicide Prevention via Social Workers
When it comes to avoiding military suicide, military social workers play a crucial role.
Governments often place social workers on military bases to assist service members with a
variety of mental health disorders, including more severe cases of mental instability that might
result in suicide attempts (Rubin et al., 2013). Assisting soldiers with emotional and mental
instability and coordinating with medical experts to manage complicated health conditions are
the responsibilities of social workers. Social workers and military partners have created
numerous frameworks to help military social workers further in their assigned roles. With all the
obvious mental, emotional, and physical challenges that come with deployment, training, and
fighting, it's no wonder that social workers play a crucial role in military camps.
The development and implementation of military suicide prevention measures are mostly
the purview of social workers. Their training, counseling, and advising of soldiers on how to
handle tough circumstances is centered on the idea that suicide is never an option during the
initiatives. To find the best solutions for lowering suicide rates on bases, these programs also
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seek to assess the military culture and hear from veterans impartially. The findings of these
investigations provide valuable information for the creation of treatments backed by evidence to
deal with the causes of suicide (Brand & Weiss, 2015). One of the most basic ways social
workers may help reduce suicide in the military is by participating in initiatives and research
aimed at eradicating suicide.
On top of that, military social workers provide a safety net for soldiers, helping them deal
with the stresses of the job. After a deployment, soldiers need counseling to help them deal with
the mental and emotional trauma they may have experienced, in addition to any physical harm
they may have suffered, as stated by Stoddard et al. (2012). Counseling and behavioral support
are two ways social workers help soldiers cope with their experiences (Brand & Weiss, 2015).
As per Rubin et al. (2013), they could indirectly instruct loved ones of veterans on the best time
and way to encourage them to seek out therapy. Even though they are not officially employed by
the government or affiliated with social work organizations, some provide mental health services
on an as-needed, volunteer basis. Thus, helping troops manage their emotions and react well to
unavoidable psychological instability via person-to-person connection is crucial in reducing the
incidence of suicides.
Finally, social workers possess the requisite expertise to observe individuals, conduct
assessments, and derive unbiased recommendations, which renders them exceptionally valuable
in military facilities. Certain personnel may be overcome by mental health disorders
unknowingly, thereby contributing to the spread of suicide (Brand & Weiss, 2015). In contrast,
social workers assume the role of regulators and observers to identify and address such situations
(Rubin et al., 2013). By teaching and reassuring veterans of the importance ofAmental and
physical well-being, they may enhance the health and well-being of troops. Consequently, social
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workers play a crucial role in identifying persons in need of mental health assistance and
implementing necessary strategies to prevent suicide.
Faith and Suicide
Religion and faith may significantly reduce the likelihood of suicide. Religion provides a
feeling of purpose and meaning in life for many, even military members. Furthermore, it has the
potential to cultivate a feeling of belonging and camaraderie. The National Institutes of Health
(Leung, 2023) provides evidence that faith-based spiritual intervention may reduce depression
symptoms and help people feel more connected to themselves, others, and the world around
them. When helping a client who is suicidal, it could be helpful to think about how the client's
religious beliefs might provide comfort and strength during this difficult time. One line of
questioning may be to find out how often they attend religious services, how close they are to
God, or whether they are part of a spiritual group like a church where they can get help. The
following verse from the Bible comes to mind: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our sorrows so that we might comfort
others in difficulty with the comfort that God has given us. We are fully comforted in Christ
since we participate in his sufferings (New International Bible, 1978/2011, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
On the other hand, as social workers, we must acknowledgeAthat not everyone adheres to
a particular faith or creed. Because of this, it is possible that faith-based care will not be
successful for all individuals who are battling with depression or thoughts of suicide. Even under
these circumstances, we can still demonstrate our support by implying that we trust them, love
them, and pray for them. Whenever confronted with unsettling ideas, we must rememberAthe
significance of receiving assistance from others. It is possible that by being honest and willing to
share our feelings, we might lessen the severity of those feelings and get a fresh perspective. In
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the book of Proverbs, chapter 17, verse 17, it is said that "A true friend shows love at all times
and is a brother who is born for times of distress" (New International Bible, 2011).
Conclusion
There is a critical need for social workers to promote psychological wellness in order to
decrease suicide rates at military institutions, which are characterized by high rates of suicide
and a hostile work environment. Societal repercussions of the dramatic increase in suicide rates
among military personnel will likely last for some time. The availability of deadly weaponry and
the problematic nature of the job environment are significant factors leading to military suicides.
People from unstable household situations and female veterans are at a higher risk of suicide.
Deploying social workers who teach and train veterans on strategies to preserve mental stability
and avoid suicide ideation is crucial in the military work environment. These workers also run
campaigns to support veterans. Hence, to combat the alarmingly high suicide rate, military
stakeholders should set up an integrated structure that allows veterans and social workers to work
together.
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References
Beder, J. (2012). Advances with social work practice with the military. Routledge.
Brand, M. W., & Weiss, E. L. (2015). Social Workers in combat: Application of advanced
practice competencies in military social work and implications for Social Work
Education. Journal of Social Work Education, 51(1), 153–168.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2015.979094
Dugan, K. (2021, September 10). In 20 years since September 11, military suicides have
risen sharply. why? Boston University.
Leung, J., & Li, K. K. (2023). Faith-Based Spiritual Intervention for Persons with
Depression: Preliminary Evidence from a Pilot Study.AHealthcare (Basel,
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Military Suicide Research Consortium. (2022, May 27). Study reveals top reason behind
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National Association of Social Workers. (2020, June 25). NASW Helps Launch National
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Workers.
New International Bible. (2011). Zondervan. (Original work published 1978).
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Our Lady of the Lake University. (2021, March 22). Military social work: On the front lines of
Social Justice. Our Lady of the Lake University.
Pruitt, L. D., Smolenski, D. J., Bush, N. E., Tucker, J., Issa, F., Hoyt, T. V., & Reger, M. A.
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defense-releases-annual-report-on-suicide-in-the-military-calenda
