In 2023, the number of suicides among military service members continued to rise, reflecting a troubling trend that has persisted despite ongoing prevention efforts. The annual report on suicides in the military, released by the Defense Department, revealed that the number of suicides among active-duty military personnel increased from 331 in 2022 to 363 in 2023.
Dr. Timothy Hoyt, Deputy Director of the Office of Force Resiliency at the Defense Department, acknowledged the concerning upward trajectory in suicide rates during a press call. The data from the report showed that the suicide rate among active-duty service members has increased from 17 per 100,000 in 2011 to 26 in 2023. It is important to note that there was a decrease in the rate from 2020 to 2021, but the overall trend remains troubling.
The majority of active-duty service members who died by suicide in 2023 were enlisted males under the age of 30, accounting for 61% of the suicides. The most common method of suicide was firearms, with 65% of cases, followed by hanging or asphyxiation at 28%.
Despite efforts to address the issue, defense officials have noted that the suicide rates among military personnel are similar to those in the general U.S. population from 2011 to 2022. Dr. Hoyt emphasized that service members face unique challenges in addition to the factors driving suicide in the broader population.
The Defense Department has taken steps to address the issue, including setting up the Suicide Prevention Response and Independent Review Committee to provide recommendations for reducing suicide deaths in the military. The committee’s recommendations include improving the delivery of mental health care, addressing stigma and other barriers to care, and revising suicide prevention training.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who established the review committee mandated by Congress in 2022, highlighted the urgency of the findings in the annual report. He emphasized the need for the Department to intensify its efforts in suicide prevention and postvention. Of the 83 recommendations made by the committee, the Defense Department has completed 20.
To bolster suicide prevention efforts, the Pentagon plans to allocate approximately $250 million for suicide prevention in fiscal year 2025, the largest investment in such initiatives to date. Dr. Hoyt emphasized the importance of long-term implementation of programs to ensure their effectiveness.
In 2023, the total number of suicides across the military, including both active-duty and reserve personnel, was 523 compared to 493 in 2022. Suicide is a leading cause of death for veterans as well, with the suicide rate among veterans increasing from 32.6 per 100,000 in 2020 to 33.9 per 100,000 in 2021, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For additional mental health care resources and support, you can contact The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org.
The rising trend in military suicides underscores the need for continued efforts to address mental health and well-being among service members. By implementing the recommendations of the Suicide Prevention Response and Independent Review Committee and investing in long-term strategies, the Defense Department aims to reduce the incidence of suicide among military personnel and veterans.
