Marek S. Kopacz, M.D., Ph.D. is a Health Science Specialist for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, working on their VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention program. He along with other researchers recently released a study that found the following: (1) Married veterans were more at risk of suicide than single veterans, (2) Married female veterans are at the greatest risk and (3) One of the more interesting aspects of the study was that it addressed “spirituality” as a component of coping, with both positive and negative effects.
According to the Washington Times “the findings are based on responses from 772 recently returned vets who participated in the Survey of Experiences of Returning Veterans conducted by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. The average age of the respondents was 35. They had served in Iran, Afghanistan, and surrounding areas as part of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn. Almost two thirds — 62 percent — had been in the Army and 75 percent had seen combat.”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download