In partnership with the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, Defence completed a research activity examining risk and protective factors associated with suicidal behaviours in a military setting.

This work supported the development of a framework for assessing factors relevant to suicide risk and protection within Defence, which was delivered in January 2025. The project also contributed to the publication of two peer‑reviewed research papers, strengthening the evidence base to inform suicide prevention activities within Defence.

Peer‑reviewed publications

The 2 peer-reviewed publications are published online:

• Risk and protective factors for suicide related outcomes among serving military personnel: a systematic review of cohort studies. BMJ Journals, BMJ Military Health – September 2025
  
  A systematic review examines risk and protective factors across 53 cohort studies specifically associated with suicide-related outcomes for serving military personnel. Primary risk factors identified were combat exposure, junior rank, and deployment within the first year of service. Protective factors included unit cohesion and psychological flexibility, which lowered the likelihood of suicidal ideation and attempt. Researchers recommend focussing on protective factors and those risk factors that can be modified.
  
  Limitations of this study included uncertainty regarding baseline status (researchers did not confirm if a participant had a history of suicidal ideation or attempts), confounding factors outside of military exposures, and the lack of Australian-based cohort studies for inclusion.
   
• Understanding risk and protective factors for suicidal behaviour in a military context: a concept mapping approach. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports – December 2025
  
  Aimed to identify perceived risk and protective factors for suicidal behaviour among Australian military personnel using concept mapping, a mixed-method approach that integrates qualitative brainstorming with quantitative cluster analysis. The risk and protective factors for suicidal behaviours within a military context were identified and rated by academic experts, clinicians and those with lived experience. The risk and protective factors were clustered falling across 3 social-ecological levels: workplace (community), relational, and individual.
  
  The researchers recommended that suicide prevention in the Australian Defence Force should prioritise workplace culture, help-seeking accessibility, and peer support programs. The researchers acknowledged some limitations of the study, including that the study involved a limited range of stakeholders from Defence.