December 19, 2024

Matthew Miller

Executive Director, VA Suicide Prevention

Appears In

Health

The 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report analyzes Veteran suicide data from 2001 to 2022, with 2022 being the most recent year for which data is available.

Our top clinical priority is preventing Veteran suicide. We use evidence-based research and suicide analytics as the foundation for our programs and initiatives. Our richest data related to Veteran suicide comes from our annual report.

Suicide Prevention Annual Report key findings

The report contains the most comprehensive data about Veteran suicide mortality to date. Key report findings include: 

• In 2022, there were 6,407 suicides among Veterans and 41,484 among non-Veteran U.S. adults.
• Among all U.S. adults in 2022, there were, on average, 131.2 suicides per day, with 17.6 Veteran suicides per day.
• On average, seven suicides per day were among Veterans who received Veterans Health Administration (VHA) care in 2021 or 2022, and 10.6 were among other Veterans.

Anchors of hope

Hope serves an important role within suicide prevention efforts. Within the challenges faced in 2022, key areas of hope emerged, including, but not limited to the following:

• Better one-year change rates.
  • From 2021 to 2022, age-adjusted suicide rates for female Veterans decreased 24.1%, while for female non-Veteran U.S. adults, rates increased 5.2%.
  • For male Veterans, age-adjusted suicide rates increased 1.6%, while for male non-Veteran U.S. adults, rates increased 1.8%.
• Substantial declines in suicide among female Veterans: As mentioned above, female Veterans saw a remarkable 24.1% decrease in age-adjusted suicide rates.
• Positive trends for younger Veterans: Suicide rates for Veterans age 18-34 decreased by 3.8%.
• Long-term reductions in suicide for Veterans with VHA mental health diagnoses: From 2001 to 2022, suicide rates fell for Veterans in VHA care with diagnoses of:
  • Anxiety: Down by 36.1%.
  • Depression: Reduced by 34.5%.
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder: Decreased by 31.6%.
  • Alcohol use disorder: Fell by 13.7%.
• Decreases among subgroups of Veterans in VHA care, 2021 to 2022:
  • Veterans with cancer diagnoses saw a 16.7% decrease.
  • Veterans with COVID-19 infection (first 90 days) had a 26.0% drop in their suicide rates.
• Positive improvement for homeless Veterans: Veterans with homelessness diagnoses experienced a 19.1% reduction.
• Continuing decline in transitioning service member suicide: For those who separated from the military in 2021, the suicide rate was 46.2 per 100,000.
• Decreased suicide for Veterans in VHA care with Veterans Crisis Line contacts: The suicide rate in the first month following documented Veterans Crisis Line contact in 2021 was 22.5% lower than in 2019.

Moving forward

Though the report contains some good news, it shows more work needs to be done to reduce Veteran suicide.

Veteran suicide prevention is VA’s highest clinical priority, but we can’t do it alone. Suicide is preventable and everyone has a role to play in saving lives. This year’s annual report provides detailed pathways to support a Veteran through the following focus areas:

• Promoting secure firearm storage.
• Building and sustaining community collaborations.
• Expanding crisis intervention services.
• Tailoring prevention and intervention services.
• Advancing suicide prevention into non-clinical supports.
• Enhancing mental health care access across a full continuum of care.
• Integrating suicide prevention within medical settings.

In addition to the 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, VA has released data sheets on state-level findings, including the number of suicide deaths among Veterans, suicide rates by age group, suicide deaths by method of suicide, and comparisons between state data and regional and national data.

Every effort makes a difference. Together, we can create a compassionate, supportive network to empower Veterans and ensure each Veteran has access to care, is valued and has hope.

If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7, confidential support. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online, or text 838255. Get more information about the Veterans Crisis Line.