04/02/2026
This is a very good guide when discussing PTS, PTSI and PTSD. Well said.
Su***de risk isn’t just about PTSD.
Moral injury matters—and it’s often missed.
For veterans, first responders, and corrections professionals, moral injury (MI) is a powerful and independent risk factor for su***de—separate from PTSD.
Research shows:
• Moral injury is linked to significantly higher odds of su***de attempts
• Individuals with MI are more likely to experience suicidal ideation
• MI often centers on shame, guilt, betrayal, and violations of deeply held values—not fear-based symptoms
This is why screening for PTSD alone is not enough.
👉 PTSD screening looks at fear, hyperarousal, and flashbacks
👉 Moral injury screening looks at shame, self-blame, loss of trust, and moral distress
Both are essential.
Missing moral injury means missing risk.
For those in high-exposure roles, healing requires:
• Dual screening (PTSD and moral injury)
• Trauma-informed, values-based care
• Peer support and systems that reduce isolation—not silence
If this resonates, know this:
What you’re experiencing is not weakness—it’s an occupational injury of the work.
And injuries deserve care, not concealment.
***deprevention
