Hailey Tran
Suicide among veterans is a tragic and ongoing issue. The VA conducts the largest national analysis of veteran suicide rates each year, with the 2024 report showing a small increase in suicides, with 6,407 veteran suicides in 2022. While the overall trend is decreasing, with a reduction in suicides among veterans with mental health diagnoses, there is a growing phenomenon of veterans taking their own lives at VA hospitals, known as parking lot suicides. This trend is believed to be a form of protest against poor and long-delayed treatment, with 15 on-campus suicides at VA facilities from October 2017 to June 2018.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of suicides among veterans in 2022 | 6,407 |
| Number of suicides among veterans in 2021 | 6,404 |
| Average number of suicides per day among veterans in 2022 | 17.6 |
| Average number of suicides per day among veterans in VHA care in 2021 or 2022 | 7 |
| Average number of suicides per day among other veterans in 2021 or 2022 | 10.6 |
| Number of suicides at VA medical facilities between 2017 and 2018 | 19 |
| Number of suicides at VA facilities from October 2017 to June 2018 | 15 |
| Suicide rate for veterans age 18-34 | Decreased by 3.8% |
| Suicide rate for veterans with VHA mental health diagnoses for anxiety from 2001 to 2022 | Down by 36.1% |
| Suicide rate for veterans with VHA mental health diagnoses for depression from 2001 to 2022 | Reduced by 34.5% |
| Suicide rate for veterans with VHA mental health diagnoses for post-traumatic stress disorder from 2001 to 2022 | Decreased by 31.6% |
| Suicide rate for veterans with VHA mental health diagnoses for alcohol use disorder from 2001 to 2022 | Fell by 13.7% |
| Suicide rate for veterans with cancer diagnoses from 2021 to 2022 | Decreased by 16.7% |
| Suicide rate for veterans with COVID-19 infection (first 90 days) from 2021 to 2022 | Dropped by 26.0% |
| Suicide rate for homeless veterans from 2021 to 2022 | Decreased by 19.1% |
| Suicide rate for transitioning service members who separated from the military in 2021 | 46.2 per 100,000 |
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What You'll Learn
The 'parking lot suicides' phenomenon
The Parking Lot Suicides Phenomenon
The "parking lot suicides" is a term used to describe the tragic trend of veterans taking their own lives in the parking lots of VA hospitals. This phenomenon is a form of protest against the poor and delayed treatment that veterans often experience within the VA healthcare system. From October 2017 to June 2018, there were fifteen on-campus suicides at VA facilities across the nation. This number includes suicides that occurred in parking lots, as well as in other areas of the hospital campuses.
The reasons behind the parking lot suicides are complex and multifaceted. For some veterans, the decision to end their lives at a VA hospital is a way to make a political statement, calling attention to the issues within the system. In other cases, veterans may choose to take their lives at a VA hospital to spare their families the trauma of discovering their bodies at home. The parking lot suicides highlight the urgent need for improved mental health support and more timely interventions for veterans struggling with thoughts of suicide.
Veteran suicide is a significant issue in the United States, with approximately 17.6 veterans dying by suicide each day, according to data from 2022. The VA's 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report revealed a small increase in suicides compared to the previous year, underscoring the ongoing need for enhanced suicide prevention measures. While there has been a downward trend in suicides among younger veterans (aged 18-34) and those with VHA mental health diagnoses, the overall rate remains concerning.
To address this crisis, the VA offers a range of support services for veterans and their loved ones. The Veterans Crisis Line provides free and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can be accessed without enrollment in VA benefits or healthcare. Additionally, the VA conducts the largest national analysis of veteran suicide rates each year, releasing an annual report with in-depth reviews and findings. These efforts aim to improve understanding and prevention of veteran suicides, including the parking lot suicides phenomenon.
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15 suicides at VA facilities in 2017-18
Suicide among veterans is a pressing issue in the United States. While the VA conducts the largest national analysis of veteran suicide rates each year, the problem persists, with an average of 17.6 suicides per day among veterans in 2018. From October 2017 to June 2018, there were 15 on-campus suicides at VA facilities across the nation. This phenomenon, known as "parking lot suicides," highlights the tragic circumstances and protest statements of veterans.
Veterans choosing to end their lives at VA facilities often have underlying reasons. These may include protesting poor and long-delayed treatment or sparing their families the trauma of discovering their bodies. The case of Phillip Crews, a 62-year-old Marine Corps veteran, exemplifies this tragic trend. Crews, who suffered from severe stomach pains, took his life in the waiting room of the John Cochran VA Hospital in St. Louis. His suicide brought attention to the growing number of veteran suicides at VA hospitals.
The VA has recognized the urgency of addressing veteran suicides and has made it a clinical priority. The 2020 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report did not indicate any significant increases in veteran suicide rates from 2017 to 2018. However, the report also highlighted positive trends related to VA healthcare and suicide prevention efforts. The VA's Public Health Model for Suicide Prevention focuses on evidence-based clinical interventions and community-based prevention strategies to support at-risk veterans.
Despite these efforts, veteran suicides continue to occur, and the 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report showed a small increase in suicides. The report analyzed data from 2001 to 2022, with 6,407 suicides among veterans in 2022. It is important to note that this data is based on national death certificate information, and the actual numbers may be higher or lower. The VA's ongoing commitment to suicide prevention includes encouraging safe reporting on suicide, providing resources for those in crisis, and implementing early intervention and prevention measures.
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6,407 veteran suicides in 2022
Suicide is a significant public health concern that disproportionately affects veterans. In 2022, there were 6,407 suicides among veterans in the United States, with an average of 17.6 veteran suicides per day. This number represents a tragic trend of veteran suicides, with over 140,000 veterans having died by suicide since 2001.
Veterans are at a substantially higher risk of suicide compared to non-veterans, with a 72% increased risk. This disparity is even more pronounced in certain subgroups, such as LGBTQ+ veterans, who have a suicide rate up to seven times higher than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts. Additionally, veterans with moral injuries, including feelings of shame, guilt, and perceived self-worth issues, are at a heightened risk of suicide.
The VA's 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report highlights positive trends in reducing veteran suicides. From 2001 to 2022, suicide rates decreased for veterans in VHA care with diagnoses of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and alcohol use disorder. Notably, veterans with cancer diagnoses experienced a 16.7% decrease in suicide rates, and those with COVID-19 infections in the first 90 days saw a significant 26% drop. Additionally, there was a 19.1% reduction in suicide rates among homeless veterans, indicating that targeted interventions can have a positive impact.
While the VA has made strides in veteran suicide prevention, more attention and action are needed. The VA's 2024 report outlines pathways to support veterans, including promoting secure firearm storage, expanding crisis intervention services, and enhancing mental health care access. Suicide prevention remains the VA's highest clinical priority, and by working together, there is hope for reducing the number of veteran suicides and saving lives.
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17.6 veteran suicides per day in 2022
Suicide among veterans is a pressing issue in the United States. The 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report reveals a sobering statistic: in 2022, there were 17.6 veteran suicides per day. This figure represents a small increase from the previous year, highlighting the urgency of addressing this tragic issue.
The report provides a comprehensive analysis of veteran suicide data from 2001 to 2022, with a particular focus on recent trends. In 2022, 6,407 veterans died by suicide, while the number was 41,484 for non-veteran US adults. The report also breaks down the veteran suicides into two groups: those who received Veterans Health Administration (VHA) care in 2021 or 2022 (7 suicides per day on average) and those who did not receive VHA care (10.6 suicides per day on average).
While the overall suicide rates in the US have been rising, the veteran community has been disproportionately affected. From 2001 to 2019, the veteran suicide rate increased by nearly 36%, compared to a 30% increase in the general population. This underscores the need for targeted interventions and support for veterans struggling with mental health issues and thoughts of suicide.
Various factors contribute to the high rate of suicide among veterans. Mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and alcohol use disorder, are significant risk factors. Additionally, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as witnessing violence or experiencing abuse, can also play a role in increasing suicide risk. Addressing these underlying issues through upstream prevention strategies is crucial for effective suicide prevention among veterans.
To combat this issue, the VA has made suicide prevention its highest clinical priority. The 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report outlines several focus areas to support veterans, including promoting secure firearm storage, expanding crisis intervention services, enhancing mental healthcare access, and integrating suicide prevention within medical settings. The VA also emphasizes the importance of hope in suicide prevention efforts, noting improvements in certain demographics, such as a substantial decline in suicide rates among female veterans in 2022.
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Veterans with moral injury have higher suicide rates
Suicide among veterans is a pressing issue, with an estimated twenty military veterans taking their lives each day in the United States. While the overall veteran suicide rate has shown positive trends, with a small increase in suicides in 2022, down from the upward trend of the previous year, there is a subset of veterans with moral injury who have higher suicide rates.
Moral injury is associated with feelings of guilt, shame, difficulty in forgiveness, distrust, changes in beliefs, anger, demoralization, grief, and disgust. It can be self-directed or other-directed and is often linked to a person's involvement in traumatic events during war or other missions. Self-directed moral injury is associated with guilt, shame, sadness, re-experiencing symptoms, and numbness, while other-directed moral injury is linked to anger, outrage, and frustration.
Veterans with moral injury are at an increased risk of suicide, and this may be related to shame, guilt, and perceived self-worth. Early intervention and prevention efforts should include screening for moral injury, in addition to PTSD and depression. Understanding the variables that increase or reduce suicidality among those with moral injury is crucial. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for military personnel, and veterans with moral injury are at a heightened risk.
Research has provided insight into risk and protective factors that influence the relationship between moral injury and suicidality. For example, the association between self-directed moral injury and suicidality strengthens with higher levels of overidentification with one's failings. On the other hand, the link between other-directed moral injury and suicidality weakens with increased mindfulness and social connectedness. These findings highlight the complex nature of moral injury and its impact on suicide risk among veterans.
While the VA has made efforts to address veteran suicide, including the 2018 MISSION Act, which expanded outreach, and the annual National Veteran Suicide Prevention Report, more attention and innovative solutions are needed to effectively support veterans experiencing suicidal thoughts.
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Frequently asked questions
An estimated twenty military veterans take their lives each day in the United States.
On average, seven suicides per day were among veterans who received VHA care in 2021 or 2022.
On average, 10.6 suicides per day were among veterans who did not receive VHA care in 2021 or 2022.
In 2022, there were 6,407 suicides among veterans in the US, a rate of roughly 34.7 per 100,000.
The Veterans Crisis Line is a free and confidential support line for veterans and their loved ones. It can be accessed by dialing 988 and pressing 1, chatting online, or texting 838255.
