The latest report by the Department of Veterans Affairs about veteran suicide is a mixed bag of progress and setbacks, but the report’s bottom line is that the suicide rate for veterans remains at epidemic levels nationally.
The 2024 National Veterans Suicide Prevention Report was released in December and covers the years 2021-22. The report provides the most recent trend data and recommends seven focus areas critical to combatting veteran suicide.
According to the report, in 2022, there were 6,407 suicides among veterans, an average of 17.5 suicides every day.
Those at the forefront of fighting veteran suicide in New Jersey believe the estimate is low because it is difficult to account for all veterans.
“It is so tough to get to our veterans,” said Bob Looby, past commander of the American Foreign Legion Department of New Jersey and an army veteran. He is very active in addressing New Jersey’s homeless veteran problem. “The veterans just don’t come out when we have events. Especially the younger ones. We used to have things like job fairs, but those days are gone.”
According to Military Times, more than 84,000 veterans have died as the result of suicide since 2010. That is more than the combined combat deaths of U.S. troops in the Vietnam, Iraqi and Afghanistan wars combined.
The Department estimates there are about one million unenrolled veterans from those conflicts.
While the 6,407 veteran suicides in 2022 was lower than 12 of the previous 14 years, the age-adjusted suicide rate for male veterans rose 1.6%.
One of the bright spots in the report is that the age-adjusted suicide rate among female veterans decreased 24.1%.
Age adjusted rates are statistical measurements that account for age differences when comparing a group of people in order to generate more accurate results in a study. For instance, cancer rates are higher in older people, so a country with a higher percentage of elderly citizens would appear to have higher cancer rates if the sample population for a study is not age-adjusted.
Data in the 2024 report clearly demonstrates the importance of connecting veterans with organizations that can support them.
On average, veterans receiving care from the VA were less likely to die by suicide. The data further indicates a longer-term reduction in veteran suicide for those receiving mental health care.
Also, the suicide rate in the first month for veterans who reach out to a crisis hotline decreased by 22.5 percent.
“Two-thirds of veterans that commit suicide are not connected to the VA. This has been the case for some time,” said Looby. “So, whenever we encounter veterans or go to veteran’s programs, we encourage all of them to register with the VA. A lot of times they come up with excuses not to do so. They say they don’t need the services. Well, it is deeper than that.”
This 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report presents the most current and comprehensive data on suicide among U.S. veterans and non-veteran adults, from 2001 through 2022.
The report identifies factors responsible for veteran suicide including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, traumatic brain injuries, military sexual trauma, substance use disorders, difficult transition to civilian life, diagnosis of cancer, nicotine use, and homelessness.
The report concludes by focusing on seven areas it says can reduce veteran
suicides:
- build and sustain community collaborations so more people and groups engage in
veteran suicide prevention. - expand availability and reach of crisis intervention services which includes
establishing new methods for reaching veterans with updated technology such as
telehealth platforms and digital outreach tools. - tailor prevention and intervention services so they can meet the unique needs of
different veteran subpopulations. - advance suicide prevention into non-clinical support areas so suicide prevention
initiatives can be part of financial, occupational, legal, and social support services
for veterans. - promote secure firearm storage because 73.5 percent of veteran suicides involve
firearms; expand efforts with other federal agencies to enhance secure storage
practices of firearms and utilize resources like KeepItSecure.net. - enhance mental health care across a full continuum of care so comprehensive
mental health services are available across all stages of care and treatment. - increase prevention methods within medical settings so suicide prevention
strategies are embedded within medical environments to ensure all veterans have
access to these critical support structures.
“It is about connections for veterans,” said Looby, “ just as we all want to be connected to our family and friends.”
