Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among lesbian, gay, and bisexual+ women veterans using Department of Veterans Affairs reproductive health care

Psychol Serv. 2026 Apr 27. doi: 10.1037/ser0001038. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Despite heightened risk for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among lesbian, gay, and bisexual+ (LGB+) veterans, research examining such risk in groups disaggregated by sexual orientation is limited, precluding a precision medicine approach to suicide prevention. The present study aimed to explore the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among LGB+ women compared with cisgender heterosexual women, veterans who used reproductive health care services from the Veterans Health Administration. Second, it provides initial prevalence estimates among lesbian/gay and bisexual women separately to explore differences between these groups. Using cross-sectional survey data from 343 post-9/11 women veterans using Veterans Health Administration reproductive health care services, this analysis explored the prevalence of past-month and postmilitary suicidal ideation and postmilitary suicide attempts among LGB+ women veterans, as well as bisexual and lesbian/gay women veterans separately. Relative to cisgender heterosexual women, LGB+ women, and bisexual women specifically, had a higher prevalence of postmilitary suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Adjusted prevalence ratios indicated that bisexual women had nearly double the prevalence of postmilitary suicidal ideation and nearly triple the prevalence of postmilitary suicide attempts compared with cisgender heterosexual women. Among women veterans, those who are LGB+, particularly bisexual, may be at elevated risk for experiencing suicidal ideation and suicide attempts following separation from military service. Findings emphasize the importance of future research further disaggregating sexual orientation groups to elucidate the differential risk for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among women veterans. Additionally, results provide further impetus for developing tailored suicide prevention efforts for LGB+ veterans. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:42043431 | DOI:10.1037/ser0001038