AAS AAS Military & Veterans Suicide Prevention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to VA data, the suicide rate among U.S. veterans compared to the general adult population is approximately:
- Equal to the general population
- Lower due to military resilience training
- 1.5 times higher after age adjustment (Correct answer)
- Three times higher regardless of age
Correct answer: 1.5 times higher after age adjustment
After adjusting for age and sex, veteran suicide rates are approximately 1.5 times higher than non-veteran adults in the United States.
Question 2: The VA's primary evidence-based suicide prevention program that trains Veterans Service Organizations and community members is called:
- QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer)
- S.A.V.E. (Signs, Ask, Validate, Expedite/Encourage) (Correct answer)
- Mental Health First Aid
- ACE (Ask, Care, Escort)
Correct answer: S.A.V.E. (Signs, Ask, Validate, Expedite/Encourage)
S.A.V.E. is the VA's gatekeeper training program, designed to help veterans, family members, and VSO staff recognize and respond to suicide warning signs.
Question 3: Which military-specific factor is strongly associated with elevated suicide risk among active-duty personnel and veterans?
- High physical fitness levels
- Moral injury from combat or military service (Correct answer)
- Regular deployment rotations
- Access to base recreational facilities
Correct answer: Moral injury from combat or military service
Moral injury—the damage done when one perpetrates, witnesses, or fails to prevent acts that violate one's moral code—is a significant driver of suicide risk in military populations.
Question 4: The Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) is reached by dialing:
- 1-800-273-8255 and pressing 1
- 988 and pressing 1 (Correct answer)
- 1-800-SUICIDE
- 211
Correct answer: 988 and pressing 1
Veterans and service members can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1, or by texting 838255.
Question 5: Which period after military separation has been identified as particularly high-risk for veteran suicide?
- 5–10 years post-separation
- The first year after leaving military service (Correct answer)
- During active deployment
- Pre-enlistment screening period
Correct answer: The first year after leaving military service
Research consistently identifies the transition period immediately following military separation as a peak period of suicide vulnerability due to loss of structure, identity, and social support.
Question 6: The Department of Defense's primary suicide prevention program framework is known as:
- Zero Suicide Initiative
- Real Warriors Campaign
- ACE (Ask, Care, Escort) (Correct answer)
- Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness (CSF2)
Correct answer: ACE (Ask, Care, Escort)
ACE (Ask, Care, Escort) is the DoD's standard gatekeeper training model for military personnel to identify and respond to at-risk peers.
AAS AAS Military & Veterans Suicide Prevention 1
According to VA data, the suicide rate among U.S. veterans compared to the general adult population is approximately: