

Intense multi-factorial stresses faced by participants in combat operations may cause high levels of psychological suffering that may progress to serious mental disorders or even suicide. Therefore, the impact of stress and mental disorders on modern military is analyzed, including the role and importance of military training and leadership in protecting warfighters from devastating combat-related psychological disorders. Mental health indicators and stress-related impact factors, extended with known risk and protective factors for suicide, lead to a comprehensive mental health profile. In order to address the issues of psychological suffering and potential suicide of warfighters, the need for an interdisciplinary approach and joint institutional efforts has been stressed. Finally, an integrated strategy of suicide risk detection and prevention is proposed, based on longitudinal acquisition of an extended vector of comprehensive mental health indicators and appropriate probabilistic analyses. Regressive analysis of the individuals' databases is the starting point for identification of various psychological disorders, degraded operational performance, and potential suicide risk.