The link between brain trauma and the risk of suicide appears to be far more dangerous than previously understood.
Research published by the Canadian Medical Association (via Scientific American) shows the risk of suicide increases threefold in adults if they have experienced even one concussion.
The NFL has been under intense scrutiny for its policies regarding head trauma after many high-profile suicides by former players such as Junior Seau, Jovan Belcher and Dave Duerson. Subsequent tests showed Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) present in those three cases. CTE is a progressive degenerative brain disease.
Many other former players who suffered from dementia and depression were also found to have CTE from repeated blows to the head.