TIME (2/7, Worland) reported that that while “the reasons for the high suicide rates” among veterans “are not entirely clear…researchers say that military life exposes soldiers to a series of risk factors that place them at a heightened suicide risk, even though someone in the military is usually healthier physically than someone in the general population.” Among other things, “combat exposes soldiers to traumatic life and death situations, and depression and PTSD may result.” Some soldiers suffer brain injuries. According to Time, “All of these ailments have been linked to increased risk of suicide.”

Related Links:

— “This Bill Could Help Veterans With Mental Health,” Justin Worland, Time, February 6, 2015.

The Dallas (TX) Morning News (2/9, Aguilera) reports that approximately “59 percent of chaplains in the VA system and 79 percent in the active-duty military said they perceive that veterans and service members commonly seek help from clergy instead of a mental” healthcare professional, “according to a 2013 report published by the VA and the Pentagon.” Meanwhile, “over 80 percent of chaplains working in the VA system or in the active-duty military said it’s not uncommon to meet a veteran or service member who is suicidal, according to the survey.”

Related Links:

— “Dallas VA conference discusses clergy’s role in suicide prevention,” Jasmine Aguilera, Dallas Morning News, February 8, 2015.

The Pittsburgh (PA) Post-Gazette (2/9, Smydo) reports, “The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health will participate in a study that could hasten the day when a patient’s genetic profile, not trial and error, helps a doctor determine which medications to prescribe.” Included in the “28-month, $350,000 study” will be “about 400 volunteers with mental-health disorders who are clients of NHS Human Services in Allegheny, Beaver, Dauphin and Lehigh counties.” Investigators “will analyze genetic material from about half of the volunteers and use those insights to make medication adjustments aimed at optimizing drug performance and decreasing side effects and adverse drug interactions,” while the other participants, who will serve as the control group, will get “usual care.”

Related Links:

— “Pitt study seeks to refine prescribing through genetics,” Joe Smydo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 9, 2015.

The Huffington Post (2/5, Holmes) reports that although “the economy may be improving…finances are still a stressful burden on Americans – especially among young adults and parents, according to the American Psychological Association’s new Stress in America survey.”

Related Links:

— “Americans Are More Stressed About Money Than Anything Else — And It’s Taking A Toll On Their Health,” Lindsay Holmes, Huffington Post, February 4, 2015.

TIME (2/5, Stout) reports that a “survey conducted in 34” European and North American countries found that “socioeconomic differences across multiple areas of adolescent mental and physical health increased between 2002 and 2010.” The findings were published Feb. 3 in The Lancet.

HealthDay (2/5, Preidt) reports that “the analysis showed that poorer kids living in countries with greater income inequality were more likely to be in worse health, get less exercise, have more body fat, have lower life satisfaction, and report more physical and mental health symptoms, such as irritability and headache.” An accompanying commentary observed, “To improve health and reduce health disparities across the lifespan, a focus should be on social factors that affect the health and well-being of young people.”

Related Links:

— “There’s a Growing Health Gap Between Rich and Poor Teens,” David Stout, Time, February 4, 2015.