Suicide Rates Among Service Members and Veterans

Each morning, the secretaries in charge of Veterans Affairs and War receive urgent updates on the troubling suicide rates among service members and veterans. The statistics reveal a serious mental health crisis within the armed forces.

According to the latest data from the Department of War’s 2024 Annual Report on Suicide in the Military, there were 523 suicides recorded across the Total Force in 2023, which marks an increase of about 6% from the previous year. In a similar vein, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report reported 6,407 suicide deaths among veterans in 2022, averaging roughly 17.6 suicides per day. This translates to a suicide rate of 34.7 per 100,000 veterans, nearly double the 17.1 per 100,000 rate for non-veteran adults.

Even though there has been significant progress in acknowledging mental health as essential for readiness, stigma continues to pose a major obstacle to seeking help.

Ongoing Stigma

As more resources become available, many are still deterred by fears of career repercussions, concerns about confidentiality, and societal views on vulnerability. Studies, both military and independent, consistently show that numerous individuals who could benefit from counseling shy away from it, anxious that seeking assistance could negatively impact their career advancement or security clearances.

A study by the RAND Corporation identified that service members frequently worry about negative career implications when pursuing treatment, especially in fields like intelligence, law enforcement, and special operations. The apprehension regarding loss of clearances lingers, even though existing policies provide more protection than generally recognized. Unfortunately, the drive to seek help is often overshadowed by fear rather than optimism about recovery.

This fear has resulted in a widening gap in treatment. Many service members experiencing symptoms of depression or PTSD never reach out for care, and those who do often find themselves receiving insufficient support. The RAND Corporation analysis indicated that only about one-third of service members with mental health issues report receiving any form of treatment.

Tackling Stigma

Mitigating stigma is integral to enhancing military readiness. The Pentagon can implement three practical strategies:

• Normalize care: Commanders should make counseling a priority during routine wellness checks, especially following deployments. For units with varying schedules, virtual visits could be encouraged to eliminate barriers and demonstrate support from leadership.
• Clarify confidentiality: Many service members are unclear about the confidentiality of counseling conversations and whether those discussions are shared with superiors. Clear guidance should be provided: counseling generally ensures legally protected confidentiality except in cases of threats to oneself or others. Leaders should also emphasize that seeking help typically doesn’t jeopardize security clearances; neglecting mental health, however, could potentially lead to crises resulting in clearance loss.
• Expand peer support: When respected military figures candidly discuss their counseling experiences, it can reshape perceptions of seeking help as a sign of strength. The 2024 VA and DOD Clinical Practice Guideline endorses prevention approaches that include peer programs, safety planning, and crisis response, extending beyond simple clinic visits.

Looking Beyond the Clinic

Clinical care alone won’t bridge the gap. Among veterans who died by suicide in 2022, 60% had a documented mental health or substance abuse diagnosis, but 40% did not, indicating many might not have sought help at all.

Community initiatives that help reconnect veterans to service, purpose, and peer networks can significantly reduce feelings of isolation and encourage ongoing treatment engagement. However, Veterans Affairs mental health care needs to move away from a one-size-fits-all model. Veterans come from varying backgrounds, each with unique cultural, spiritual, and experiential narratives, so a singular approach won’t suffice.

Incorporating faith-based healing and spiritual care could be vital since many studies link religion with positive mental health outcomes. Engaging with faith communities, chaplains, or purpose-driven organizations can serve to fill the gap between therapy and long-term wellness.

Collaborative efforts between public and private sectors, connecting faith-based organizations with peer mentors and practical support for housing or employment, align with the National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide, which promotes a community-focused, holistic approach.

Building Trust and Accountability

Every barrier—whether stigma, scheduling issues, or a lack of alternative therapies—has real implications. Simply increasing resources isn’t enough. The system must cultivate trust, reduce bureaucracy, and meet veterans in their environments.

Policymakers should:

• Ensure regular public reporting of suicide data broken down by branch, demographics, and region.
• Focus on continuity of care during the first year post-separation, a crucial period when the risk is elevated.

Cultivating a Culture of Courage

The military is making the right investment in counselors, clinicians, and prevention staff. The next significant step involves cultural change. If service members perceive that seeking counseling could jeopardize their careers, that mindset will undermine the best programs. Conversely, if they recognize where to go for help, understand it’s confidential, and hear from colleagues who say, “I sought help, and it was beneficial,” this can create openings that official guidance couldn’t facilitate.

In a community that values resilience, strength, honor, and courage, pursuing mental health support should be viewed as a strength. Our service members exhibit immense bravery in combat situations—they should receive equal respect for taking steps to care for their mental well-being.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, please consider reaching out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988; veterans can press 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line.