The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between sleep issues, mental health (perceived stress, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] symptoms, and depressive symptoms), and suicidal ideation (SI) in a sample of military service members (N = 891) using mediation analyses. Sleep issues were related to SI, stress, PTSD, and depressive symptoms. PTSD, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms mediated the relationship between sleep issues and SI; after accounting for mental health symptoms, sleep no longer had a direct effect on SI. The findings suggest that sleep issues may operate as a risk factor for mental health issues and SI.
