A new report led by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC provides evidence-informed recommendations to help the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) better identify and address intimate partner violence (IPV) among veterans. Convened under a provision of the Deborah Sampson Act of 2020, a multidisciplinary expert panel reviewed research summaries drawn from more than 100 studies and issued guidance for clinicians and policymakers.

The panel recommends expanding screening for IPV across all points of care, paired with enhanced training and resources for healthcare staff to recognize and respond to risk. It also emphasizes a “no wrong door” approach, ensuring that disclosures—regardless of where they occur in the health system—lead to appropriate support and intervention.

Findings highlight that IPV among veterans is often underrecognized and extends beyond physical and sexual violence to include psychological abuse and stalking. The report also identifies veteran-specific risk factors, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), elevated suicide risk, substance use and deployment-related stressors. Given the intersection of these risks with higher rates of firearm access, the panel recommends integrating safety planning into screening efforts.

The authors also found strong support for the VA’s existing National IPV Assistance Program, noting that its trauma-informed, veteran-centered approach remains aligned with current evidence. The recommendations, published in Women’s Health Issues and shared with VA leadership, are intended to help prioritize strategies that are both practical and likely to have the greatest impact.

Many suicide deaths may be incorrectly recorded as accidents or undetermined deaths, meaning the true number of suicides is likely higher than official records show.

Drug overdose deaths are especially difficult to classify because it is often impossible to determine a person's intent after death.

Researchers propose using a broader reporting measure called self-injury mortality (SIM) to better capture deaths that may involve self-harm, even when intent cannot be confirmed.

Improvements in how deaths are investigated and classified are necessary to understand how big the suicide problem is in the U.S. and evaluate interventions. 

A new study has found that mass shootings and deaths by suicide in the United States share seasonal patterns, reaching their highest levels during summer months.

In the digital age, adolescents and young adults increasingly form social connections

through online spaces, including social media, gaming and messaging platforms, which serve as venues for identity exploration, peer connection and emotional validation. However, these spaces also create new vulnerabilities, including upward social comparison, exclusion and online harassment that can undermine mental health, including depression and suicidality.

While most research has been focused on adolescents, a new study has found that college students who spend more time online (including social media use, gaming, etc.) and those who experience online harassment, are more likely to report suicidal thoughts. It also showed that these patterns were not the same across gender groups. In particular, cisgender men showed the strongest link between time spent online and suicidal thoughts, while online harassment was linked to higher risk across all gender groups. This is one of the few studies to look at both time online and harmful online experiences together, while paying close attention to gender differences.