The following white papers have been published by MSRC in response to requests from MOMRP.
Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts are relatively prevalent among military personnel (Nock et al., 2014). Given this, there is some concern that soldiers experiencing suicidal ideation, in treatment for suicidal ideation, or recovering from an acute suicidal crisis, may be unable to serve. Addressing this concern is the purpose of this white paper.
MSRC White Paper Ability to Serve July 2019.pdf Suicide is a leading cause of death in military personnel (WHO, 2016). Current practices in predicting suicide attempts are limited in timing and accuracy (Bentley et al., 2016; Chang et al., 2016; Franklin et al., 2016; Ribeiro et al., 2016). Identifying individuals at risk for suicide with the use of machine learning in social media posts and medical databases are new approaches to suicide prevention.
MSRC White paper ML social media research.pdf Preventing suicide among military personnel is of the utmost importance; however, it is currently unknown whether suicide risk is a categorical (i.e., high vs. low risk) or dimensional phenomenon. This knowledge could have critical implications for developing effective, efficient suicide risk assessment and intervention procedures. Specifically, if suicide risk is categorical instead of dimensional, it may be possible to use briefer and empirically based assessments to accurately group people into high and low risk categories.
MSRC_Taxometric_Study_of_Suicide_Risk_Drs_Holm-Denoma_Witte.pdf Despite the inherent joy of holidays, there is a significant amount of stress and negative emotions leading many to wonder what effect holidays have on suicide as a whole. It is because of this concern that this white paper has been developed.
MSRC -Holiday and Suicide.pdf Despite preliminary evidence indicating a sharp decline in suicide rates within the military in 2013, data indicate that the National Guard experienced a continued increase (American Forces Press Service, 2014). The importance of studying this component of the military is thus clear; however, anecdotally, this group has historically been difficult to recruit.
RecruitmentNationalGuardWhitePaper.pdf Exposure to death is inherent in military service. Service members are exposed to death in combat, during training accidents and/or by suicide. This white paper explores the effects of being exposed to death by suicide to determine health consequences of such exposure, and to identify possible interventions if needed.
Military%20Suicide%20Exposure.pdf The Military Suicide Research Consortium (MSRC) hosted a pre-conference workshop at the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) annual conference in both 2013 and 2014 to provide advanced training for graduate students, interns, and post-doctorate fellows interested in military suicide research.
WhitePaperMSRCPreconferenceWorkshopTucker.pdf Is there relevant literature linking the side effect of the drug mefloquine, used to prevent and treat malaria, to suicide and suicide attempts?
MefloquineandSuicidePMG.pdf MSRC Cholesterol and Suicide.pdf Evaluate the evidence to support claims made about the ability of the Olympic Labs Dynamic Predictive Analytic Algorithms for Stressors & Acute Precipitants of Violence to predict suicide in active duty military personnel.
Analytic algorithms .pdf Sexual assault and suicide are important concerns among both military and civilian populations. Is there a relationship between these two problems and if so, how is it characterized?
Sexual_Assault_&_Suicide.pdf Providing a summary of current best practices in suicide prevention, relevant literature, limitations, and recommendations
Suicide_Prevention_Best_Practices.pdf The Office of the U.S. Army Surgeon General requested recommendations for the most appropriate suicide risk screening measures to deploy throughout the Service, and in particular whether the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is the best option.
MSRC Screening Measures White paper June 2012.pdf Military sexual trauma (MST) has been a concern for the military but little is known about MST among male victims in general, and links with suicide risk in particular. While there is research to support the increased risk for suicide among female victims of MST, does the same hold true for male victims?
MSRC Sexual assault and suicide among males.pdf The C-SSRS is being promoted as the first-line suicide risk assessment tool. What is the evidence in support of its use in a clinical setting, not as a population screening tool?
MSRC_C-SSRS_evaluation.pdf The C-SSRS is being promoted as a first-line suicide risk assessment tool. What are the main gaps in the risk assessment research literature not only on the C-SSRS, but in general? What are key future directions?
MSRC_C-SSRS_risk_assessment.pdf To determine the efficacy of nutritional supplements/herbal medicines in the treatment and prevention of suicide, and other closely related mental conditions, including, depression, anxiety, and risk-taking behaviors.
MSRC_Other_Supplements_and_Herbal_Medicine_White_Paper.pdf To determine the efficacy of Kava in the treatment and prevention of suicide, and other closely related mental conditions, including, depression, anxiety, and risk-taking behaviors.
MSRC_Kava_White_Paper.pdf To determine the efficacy of nutritional supplements (Hypericum perforatum L.) in the treatment and prevention of suicide, and other closely related mental conditions, including, depression, anxiety, and risk-taking behaviors.
MSRC_Hypericum_White_Paper.pdf Is there adequate evidence to support the use of Omega-3 supplements for treatment of depression or suicide risk?
Use_of_Omega3_9-13-11.pdf