Suicide Risk and Health Care Utilization Among Veterans Contacting the Veterans Crisis Line: Retrospective Cohort Study

Key Points

• This study evaluates the relationship between contact characteristics with the Veterans Crisis Line and subsequent mental health outcomes.
• Retrospective cohort study design
• Analysis of contacts to the Veterans Crisis Line from 2016 to 2023
• Assessment of mental health care utilization and suicide-related events through Veterans Health Administration data
• Increased contact with the Veterans Crisis Line correlates with higher mental health care utilization
• Notable associations found between crisis line contact and decreased suicide-related events over time
• Higher rates of suicide mortality observed among veterans not utilizing subsequent mental health care.