摘要：Evidence has suggested increased risk for homelessness and suicide among US veterans, but little is known about the associations between housing instability and psychological distress (including suicidal ideation). We examined frequent mental distress (FMD) and suicidal ideation among a probability-based sample of 1767 Nebraska veterans who participated in the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey who had and had not experienced housing instability in the past 12 months. Veterans experiencing housing instability had increased odds of FMD and suicidal ideation. Veterans are disproportionally overrepresented in the homeless population, accounting for 14% of all adults experiencing homelessness. 1 On any given night, more than 67 000 US veterans are homeless. 1 Housing is considered a basic human need, and housing-related stress can have stark ramifications for physical and mental health, including mental distress and suicidal ideation. Previous studies have reported associations between suicidal ideation and homelessness 2,3 and housing instability and depression. 4 Schinka et al. 5 recently noted that prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempt were significantly elevated among older veterans enrolled in an intervention program for homelessness. Veterans are a priority population in addressing the public health problem of suicide risk, 6 and the US Department of Veterans Affairs has devoted considerable resources to screening and ameliorating homelessness and housing instability among veterans. 7 However, little is known about associations between housing-related financial distress (i.e., housing instability 8 ) and mental distress and suicidal ideation among veterans. Our purpose in this article is to increase knowledge of risk for poor mental health associated with risk for homelessness by investigating the characteristics of housing instability, mental distress, and suicidal ideation among a probability-based sample of veterans.
