Citation

Adler A, Jager-Hyman S, Brown GK, Singh T, Chaudhury S, Ghahramanlou-Holloway M, Stanley B. Arch. Suicide Res. 2020; 24(2): 251-268.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811118.2019.1624666

PMID

31237808

Abstract

This study aimed to identify barriers to treatment seeking and service utilization among previously deployed Army soldiers who recently experienced a suicidal crisis. Confidential interviews were conducted on a psychiatric inpatient unit with 12 Army soldiers with a deployment history following a suicidal crisis. Qualitative analysis focused on statements coded as "barriers to seeking help" and "explicit recommendations." Suicidal Army soldiers with a deployment history experienced different barriers to seeking help, including stigma and logistical challenges (e.g., long wait times for appointments). Negative and positive perceptions of support were reported for various resources - for example, family, crisis hotlines, chaplains, and command. Suicidal Army soldiers, interviewed in this study, experienced a number of challenges and frustrations associated with various helping resources. This study highlights the need for greater attention toward understanding these challenges and subsequently addressing them through appropriate resource allocation and additional training for those working directly with Army soldiers at risk for suicide.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Risk Factors; United States; Adult; Male; suicide; Risk Assessment; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide, Attempted; Surveys and Questionnaires; military; Military Personnel; Resilience, Psychological; qualitative methods; deployment; barriers to treatment; Military Psychiatry