The role of depression and suicidal cognitions as contributors to suicide risk among active duty soldiers reporting symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder.

•Suicidal cognitions fully mediated the relation between PTSD and suicide risk.•Suicidal cognitions had a significantly larger effect than the other mediators.•Serial mediation was found when depression preceded suicidal cognitions.•Suicidal cognitions are most proximal to suicide risk for soldiers with PTSD.