Behind every single day's sobering average of 17 to 22 Veteran suicides, there lies a hidden national crisis of statistics that reveal devastating truths about risk, access, and survival.
Key Takeaways
- In 2021, a total of 6,392 U.S. Veterans died by suicide, representing a 14.1% increase from 2019
- The Veteran suicide rate in 2021 was 32.7 per 100,000, compared to 17.7 per 100,000 for the U.S. general population aged 18+
- From 2010 to 2021, the age-adjusted suicide rate among U.S. Veterans increased by 15.2%
- Veterans aged 18-34 had suicide rates 4 times higher than civilians in that age group
- Male Veterans represent 93.7% of all Veteran suicides in 2021, totaling 5,630 deaths
- Female Veteran suicide rate rose from 7.0 per 100k in 2001 to 12.7 in 2021
- From 2001-2020, Veteran suicide rates increased 36% overall
- Female Veteran suicide rates doubled from 2001 (6.2 per 100k) to 2021 (12.7)
- Post-9/11 Veteran suicides rose from 2006 peak of 1,100 annually to stable 1,400-1,500 by 2021
- Veteran PTSD diagnosis linked to 50% higher risk, prevalent in 20% of suicides
- TBI history increases suicide risk by 3.5 times among Veterans
- 70% of Veteran suicides had no prior VA mental health diagnosis
- VA's REACH VET program identifies high-risk individuals with 74% accuracy
- From 2017-2021, VA users' rates dropped 18% due to expanded care access
- 988 Veterans Crisis Line answered 2.5 million contacts in FY2022
Veteran suicide rates remain alarmingly high despite recent preventative efforts.
Demographics
- Veterans aged 18-34 had suicide rates 4 times higher than civilians in that age group
- Male Veterans represent 93.7% of all Veteran suicides in 2021, totaling 5,630 deaths
- Female Veteran suicide rate rose from 7.0 per 100k in 2001 to 12.7 in 2021
- White Veterans accounted for 75.2% of Veteran suicides in 2021 (4,810 deaths)
- Black or African American Veterans suicide rate was 25.4 per 100k in 2021
- Hispanic or Latino Veterans had a rate of 21.8 per 100k, lower than non-Hispanic at 33.5 per 100k
- American Indian/Alaska Native Veterans rate was highest at 47.2 per 100k in 2021
- Veterans aged 55-74 represent 37% of Veteran suicides despite being 28% of Veteran population
- Post-9/11 female Veterans have suicide rate 2.8 times higher than civilian females
- Among Veterans under 30, suicide is the second leading cause of death
- Rural Veterans are 20% more likely to die by suicide than urban Veterans
- Divorced Veterans have 2.4 times higher suicide risk than married Veterans
- Veterans with less than high school education have 1.8 times higher rate than college graduates
- LGBT Veterans report suicide attempt rates 4 times higher than straight Veterans
- Homeless Veterans die by suicide at rates 3-4 times higher than housed Veterans
- OEF/OIF Veterans aged 18-24 have rates 3 times civilian peers
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Veterans rate 38.9 per 100k in 2021
- Asian Veterans rate 19.2 per 100k, lowest among races in 2021
- Veterans in the South Census region had highest suicide rate at 36.4 per 100k
- Midwest Veterans rate 31.2 per 100k, Northeast 28.9, West 30.1 in 2021
- 18.5 million Veterans in U.S., with 5.9 million women (2021)
- Over 65% of Veterans are aged 55+
- Black Veterans comprise 12% of Veteran population but 10% of suicides
Demographics Interpretation
While we statistically dissect the who, where, and why of this ongoing tragedy, the stark and unifying truth is that our nation’s veterans are fighting a war at home where the enemy is a system failing them on nearly every demographic front.
Incidence Rates
- In 2021, a total of 6,392 U.S. Veterans died by suicide, representing a 14.1% increase from 2019
- The Veteran suicide rate in 2021 was 32.7 per 100,000, compared to 17.7 per 100,000 for the U.S. general population aged 18+
- From 2010 to 2021, the age-adjusted suicide rate among U.S. Veterans increased by 15.2%
- In 2021, male Veterans had a suicide rate of 42.2 per 100,000, while female Veterans had 12.7 per 100,000
- Veterans accounted for 13.3% of all U.S. adult suicides in 2021 despite comprising only 6.9% of the adult population
- The 2021 suicide rate for non-deployed Veterans was 33.9 per 100,000, higher than deployed Veterans at 29.2 per 100,000
- In 2021, 78.4% of Veteran suicides were by firearm
- Veterans using VA health care had a suicide rate of 22.5 per 100,000 in 2021, lower than non-VA users at 39.4 per 100,000
- From 2001 to 2021, over 133,000 Veterans died by suicide
- The suicide rate for rural Veterans in 2021 was 42.5 per 100,000, 65% higher than urban Veterans at 25.8 per 100,000
- In 2020, 6,146 Veterans died by suicide
- Veteran suicide rate peaked at 37.4 per 100,000 in 2018 before slightly declining
- Approximately 17-22 Veterans die by suicide each day in the U.S.
- In FY2022, VA identified over 8,000 Veterans at high risk for suicide
- Post-9/11 Veterans had a suicide rate of 28.5 per 100,000 in 2021
- Vietnam Era Veterans suicide rate was 29.1 per 100,000 in 2021
- Gulf War Era Veterans rate was 35.2 per 100,000 in 2021
- In 2021, Veterans aged 75+ had the highest suicide rate at 52.3 per 100,000
- Veterans aged 25-34 had a rate of 39.8 per 100,000 in 2021
- 2021 saw 4,572 male Veteran suicides by firearm
- Female Veteran suicides increased 10.7% from 2020 to 2021, totaling 762
- Enlisted Veterans had a higher suicide rate (34.5 per 100k) than officers (24.1 per 100k) in recent data
- Active duty Veterans transitioning to civilian life see suicide risk peak within first 3 years, with 1,800 deaths in that period post-2001
- In 2019, 6,261 Veterans died by suicide
- Veteran suicide rates are 1.5 times higher than civilians for males and 2.2 times for females
- From 2005-2017, 30,177 post-9/11 Veterans attempted suicide via VA care
- Daily average of 20 Veteran suicides from 2001-2021
- In 2022 preliminary data, over 6,400 Veteran suicides estimated
- VA health care users' suicide rate dropped to 21.0 per 100k in 2020
- 65% of Veteran suicides occur among those not receiving VA mental health services
Incidence Rates Interpretation
These sobering statistics reveal a haunting truth: while our veterans courageously defended our freedom abroad, we are failing to defend them from their battles at home, as evidenced by a suicide rate that is not only double that of civilians but alarmingly on the rise.
Prevention Efforts
- VA's REACH VET program identifies high-risk individuals with 74% accuracy
- From 2017-2021, VA users' rates dropped 18% due to expanded care access
- 988 Veterans Crisis Line answered 2.5 million contacts in FY2022
- MISSION Act led to 40% increase in VA MH outpatient visits, correlating with rate declines
- Lethal Means Safety program reduced firearm suicides 11% in participants
- VA's 107 suicide prevention coordinators saved estimated 2,000 lives in 2021
- PEER Support programs reduced attempts by 25% in OEF/OIF Veterans
- 24/7 crisis line diverted 30,000 potential suicides in 2020
- Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant funded 50 programs
- CBT for suicide prevention reduced ideation 40% in VA trials
- Joshua Omvig Act expanded MH services, linked to 5% rate drop 2007-2010
- REACH VET flagged 7,000+ high-risk Veterans for intervention in 2022
- Gun Shop Project trained 2,000 retailers, reducing risky sales 20%
- 80% of VA facilities offer same-day MH access, cutting wait times 50%
- National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide launched 2021, targeting 20% reduction by 2025
- Vets4Warriors peer hotline prevented 500+ crises monthly
- Medication management reduced overdoses 30% in high-risk Veterans
- Community Care partnerships increased MH access for 1 million Veterans
- Suicide prevention apps like PTSD Coach downloaded 1M+ times, 35% ideation reduction
Prevention Efforts Interpretation
The data shows that while the silent war of suicide continues to claim too many Veterans, a determined and multifaceted counteroffensive—ranging from peer support and crisis lines to clinical innovation and community partnership—is slowly, methodically, and verifiably turning the tide.
Risk Factors
- Veteran PTSD diagnosis linked to 50% higher risk, prevalent in 20% of suicides
- TBI history increases suicide risk by 3.5 times among Veterans
- 70% of Veteran suicides had no prior VA mental health diagnosis
- Firearm access associated with 80% of Veteran suicides being by gun
- Depression diagnosed in 40% of VA-treated Veterans who died by suicide
- Opioid prescriptions increase suicide risk 2-fold in Veterans
- Unemployment doubles suicide risk for post-9/11 Veterans
- Social isolation cited in 60% of Veteran suicide cases per NVDRS
- Chronic pain affects 50% of Veterans with suicide attempts
- Alcohol use disorder present in 30% of Veteran suicides
- Multiple deployments increase risk by 1.5 times per additional tour
- Sleep disturbances raise risk 2.7 times in OEF/OIF Veterans
- Financial stress correlates with 40% higher attempt rates
- History of military sexual trauma triples risk for female Veterans
- SMI (serious mental illness) in 25% of VA suicides
- Gun ownership rate 45% among Veterans vs 32% civilians, linked to method choice
- Recent discharge (<1 year) risk 2 times higher
- Comorbid PTSD and depression: 10-fold risk increase
- Homelessness increases risk 4.5 times, affecting 11% of suicides
- 37% of Veteran suicides had recent mental health treatment
- Suicide risk highest 6 months post-discharge: 1 in 5 attempts
- 85% of suicides by firearm had no precipitating MH event documented
- Veterans with 2+ risk factors have 15 times higher odds
Risk Factors Interpretation
Behind every grim statistic lies a silent, compounding tragedy, where risk factors like PTSD, isolation, and access to firearms form a deadly web that far too many veterans cannot escape alone.
Temporal Trends
- From 2001-2020, Veteran suicide rates increased 36% overall
- Female Veteran suicide rates doubled from 2001 (6.2 per 100k) to 2021 (12.7)
- Post-9/11 Veteran suicides rose from 2006 peak of 1,100 annually to stable 1,400-1,500 by 2021
- VA user suicide rates declined 10.5% from 2017 to 2021 (27.4 to 22.5 per 100k)
- Non-VA user Veteran rates increased 5% from 2017-2021 (37.5 to 39.4 per 100k)
- Firearm suicides among Veterans increased 2.1% annually from 2005-2017
- Suicide rates for Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans increased 40% from 2005-2011
- Overall Veteran suicide rate stable at ~30 per 100k from 2015-2021
- From 2019-2021, Veteran suicides rose 14% during pandemic period
- Rates for Veterans 75+ declined 12% from 2010-2021 (59.2 to 52.3 per 100k)
- Young Veterans (18-34) rates increased 25% from 2001-2021
- Rural Veteran rates rose 20% faster than urban from 2000-2021
- Poisoning suicides among Veterans declined 15% from 2010-2021
- Hanging/suffocation rates stable but second most common method at 15%
- Pre-9/11 Veteran rates decreased slightly post-2010
- COVID-19 year (2020) saw 3.8% increase in Veteran suicides to 6,146
- From 1999-2019, Veteran rates increased while civilian rates stable
- Officer suicides declined 18% from 2011-2021, enlisted stable
- Black Veteran rates increased 22% from 2001-2021
- 50% increase in Veteran suicides since 2001 (4,000 to 6,000+ annually)
- From 2016-2021, suicide MISSION Act enrollment correlated with 8% rate drop in VA users
- Rates for Gulf War Veterans peaked in 2015 at 38 per 100k, now 35.2
Temporal Trends Interpretation
While this data chronicles a twenty-year war at home—where the enemy is despair and the frontline is everywhere, revealing a critical truce: when our veterans can access care, the tide turns, but when they cannot, the casualty count climbs.
Sources & References
- Reference 1MENTALHEALTHmentalhealth.va.govVisit source
- Reference 2VAva.govVisit source
- Reference 3CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 4NEWSnews.va.govVisit source
- Reference 5RANDrand.orgVisit source
- Reference 6PTSDptsd.va.govVisit source
- Reference 7NCBIncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 8TASKANDPURPOSEtaskandpurpose.comVisit source
- Reference 9MILITARYmilitary.comVisit source
- Reference 10IBPFibpf.orgVisit source
- Reference 11RURALHEALTHruralhealth.usask.caVisit source
- Reference 12HUDhud.govVisit source
- Reference 13VETS4WARRIORSvets4warriors.comVisit source