Suicidal ideation rises among veterans, study finds
A new study has found that suicidal thoughts among U.S. veterans have risen nearly 50 percent over the past five years, though the frequency of suicide planning and attempts remained relatively stable during that period. Researchers from the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for PTSD and the Yale School of Medicine analyzed data from 2,636 veterans and found that 13.4 percent reported suicidal thoughts in the previous two weeks, compared with 9 percent in the 2019-2020 survey. The study, published July 20 in JAMA Network Open, highlights concerning trends among specific veteran populations while also revealing gaps in mental health care access.
The VA has made suicide prevention a central priority in recent years, investing millions in prevention programs and community partnerships. According to VA data, suicide rates among veterans are 60 percent higher than the national average, with suicide being the second leading cause of death among veterans under age 45. More than 6,000 veterans have died by suicide each year since 2001, with 6,398 veteran suicide deaths recorded in 2024, the most recent year for which accurate nationwide data is available. The VA has recently focused on encouraging veterans to enroll in VA medical services, citing evidence that patients who receive health care at the VA have lower rates of suicide and suicide attempts.
The study found that certain groups face elevated risk. Younger veterans and women veterans showed higher rates for suicidal thoughts, planning, and attempts over the five-year period. Veterans ages 18 to 34, those experiencing homelessness, and those with health issues were identified as being at higher risk. According to the research, woman veterans had higher odds of suicide planning and attempts, though VA national data shows that male veterans die by suicide at higher rates.
Lead author Ian Fischer, a clinical psychologist at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, noted that the veteran population has become younger and more diverse, with increases in the proportion of women veterans and shifts in racial and ethnic composition over the past five years. Risk factors for suicide attempts include major depression, alcohol use, and adverse childhood experiences that preceded military service, while risk factors for suicidal thoughts and planning included PTSD, major depressive disorder, and adverse childhood experiences. Based on the survey results, researchers estimated that between 2.3 million and 2.4 million of the nation's roughly 16 million veterans experienced suicidal thoughts within the study's measured time frame.
For disabled veterans, these findings underscore the critical importance of maintaining connection to mental health services. The study found that veterans who use the VA for primary health care were twice as likely to have received mental health treatment at some point in their lives, and more than half of those using VA health care services were actively enrolled in mental health care. However, fewer than 37 percent of veterans who reported having suicidal thoughts in the previous two weeks were receiving mental health care, revealing a significant treatment gap.
Veterans experiencing suicidal thoughts or struggling with mental health challenges should know that VA mental health services are available regardless of disability rating or service connection for mental health conditions. Enrollment in VA health care provides access to mental health treatment, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention resources. The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 by dialing 988 and pressing 1, or by texting 838255.
If you are not currently enrolled in VA health care but are experiencing mental health difficulties, contact your local VA medical center to discuss enrollment options and immediate mental health support. Veterans service organizations can also assist with navigating VA mental health services and ensuring you receive appropriate care. Early intervention and consistent mental health treatment remain the most effective tools for reducing suicide risk among veterans.