Military Service Members and Veterans
Suicide is an important problem affecting military service members and veterans. The military services include an Active Component (Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy) and a Reserve Component. Estimates from the U.S. Department of Defense suggest that although suicide rates vary across these groups, they remain higher than they were in 2003.1
Among veterans, the suicide rate appears to have stabilized in recent years.2 But this rate remains unacceptably high. Recent estimates suggest that 22 veterans may die by suicide each day.2
To address this serious problem, the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have put into place comprehensive suicide prevention programs.
Risk and Protective Factors
Suicide prevention efforts seek to reduce risk factors for suicide and strengthen the factors that help strengthen individuals and protect them from suicide. Here are a few examples:
Risk factors
- Mood and anxiety disorders
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Prior suicide attempt
- Stressful situations (e.g., childhood trauma, relationship problems, legal issues, financial troubles)
- Physical health problems
Protective factors
- Effective care for mental and physical health problems
- Life skills training (e.g., financial management, communication, marriage and family relationships, conflict resolution)
- Social connectedness
References
- U.S. Department of Defense. (2015). DoDSER Department of Defense Suicide Event Report: Calendar Year 2014 Annual Report. Retrieved from: http://www.dspo.mil/Portals/113/Documents/CY%202014%20DoDSER%20Annual%20Report%20-%20Final.pdf
- Kemp J., Bossarte, R. (2012). Suicide data report, 2012: Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Services Suicide Prevention Program. Retrieved from http://www.va.gov/opa/docs/suicide-data-report-2012-final.pdf.
Learn More
- See the Recommended Resources below selected by SPRC personnel.
- See All Resources Related to Military Service Members and Veterans for a full list of materials, programs, trainings, and other information available from SPRC. Use the filters on the left to narrow your results.
- For more on other groups and settings, see our Populations and Settings pages.
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Recommended Resources
VA national suicide data report: 2005–2016
This report documents differences in suicide mortality between Veterans who have and have not used Veterans Health Administration (VHA) services and compares suicide rates among Veterans with rates among non-Veteran adults. It includes key measures pertaining to Veteran suicide such as counts, rates and means, followed by information for specific subpopulations, including age groups, women […]