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(04/29/2026) VA Durham researchers and their colleagues learned Veterans who experienced multiple toxic exposures had 17% higher odds of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, compared with Veterans who did not report exposures. The researchers assessed military exposure to nine different toxins in nearly 250,000 Veterans from the Million Veteran Program. They found each additional toxic exposure increased a Veteran’s suicide risk. This association held true across all service eras, from pre-Vietnam through post-9/11. Analysis revealed the link between toxic exposure and suicide could be attributed to the higher rates of PTSD and depression in Veterans with more exposure. The results highlight a need to consider toxic exposures when assessing Veterans for suicide risk. (Psychiatry Research, Apr. 15, 2026)