Loneliness and suicidal behaviour in military veterans.

Abstract

Objective: Loneliness can be defined as a subjective distressing experience that results from perceived isolation or the difference between an individual's preferred and actual social experience. Loneliness is associated with an increase in the incidence of psychiatric and medical disorders and suicidal behaviour. The goal of this article is to attract attention to underappreciated issues of loneliness in veterans and suicidality in lonely veterans.

Methods: A review of the relevant literature.

Results: Military veterans have unique experiences of loneliness, especially older veterans. Suicide in veterans is a major social issue. Studies suggest that loneliness may contribute to suicidality among veterans. Loneliness is a transdiagnostic suicide prevention and intervention target in the veteran population.

Conclusions: Prevention of suicide in lonely veterans should include six components: (1) Recognition of loneliness; (2) Reduction of loneliness; (3) Management of psychiatric and medical disorders; (4) Assessment of suicide risk; (5) Restricting access to the means for suicide; and (6) Specific interventions to reduce suicidality.