Suicide Among Veterans: Statistics & Resources

According to a report by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans are at an elevated risk of suicide relative to non-Veteran U.S. adults.¹ If you’re a Veteran who is struggling, or if you know a Veteran who is, help is available. This page will help you learn more about suicide among Veterans and how to seek mental health care and resources.

Suicide and Military Veterans

Suicide can affect anyone, however, studies show that suicide rates among Veterans tend to be higher than the general population.²

According to the 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, 6,392 Veterans died by suicide in 2021, an increase of 114 from 2020.¹ The same year, suicide was the 13th leading cause of death among Veterans, and the second leading cause of death among Veterans under the age of 45.¹

When examining recent Veteran Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Users who died from suicide, VHA mental health or substance use disorder (SUD) diagnoses were documented for approximately 61% of suicide decedents in 2021.¹ Despite the Veterans suicide statistics mentioned above, there are also signs of hope. According to the 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, suicide rates among Veterans fell by:¹

• 8.1% among Veteran men aged 75 years and older between 2020 and 2021.
• 2.2% among recent Veteran VHA Users aged 55-74 between 2020 and 2021.
• 1.9% among male recent Veteran VHA Users aged 18-34 between 2020 and 2021.
• 77.8 per 100,000 to 58.2 per 100,000 among recent Veteran VHA Users with mental health or SUD diagnoses from 2001 to 2021.

Are Veterans at Higher Risk for Suicide?

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among all Americans, not just Veterans.^{1, 4} Suicide rates in the U.S. rose from 2020 to 2021 for the entire population, including Veterans.¹ The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the health and mortality rates among Veterans and the entire U.S. population in 2021.¹ While the pandemic presented increased suicide risk factors for all Americans, some Veterans face additional unique risk factors that can elevate suicide risk.¹

Risk Factors for Veterans and Suicide

Many Veterans face unique risk factors related to the nature of their work that may impact suicide risk, such as reintegrating into their community and chronic health conditions stemming from military service.^{3, 5} Other risk factors include:^{1, 5}

• Isolation and a lack of social support.
• Strained family relationships.
• Pain.
• Sleep problems.
• The effects of aging.
• Mental health conditions, including depression and PTSD.
• Homelessness.
• Financial concerns.
• Unsecured firearms at home.

Suicide & Substance Use Among Veterans

Substance use often increases after a person leaves the military, with marijuana, heroin, and cocaine being the most commonly used illicit substances among Veterans.³ Alcohol misuse is more prevalent among Veterans than non-Veteran adults in the U.S. According to NIDA, 65% of Veterans who enter a treatment program report alcohol is the substance they most frequently misuse, nearly double that found among civilians.³

Over time, ongoing substance misuse can lead to the development of a substance use disorder (SUD), a treatable condition that refers to the uncontrollable use of substances like alcohol and drugs despite the negative consequences.^{6, 7} More than 1 in 10 Veterans have been diagnosed with an SUD, which is slightly higher than the general population.³

Substance use and suicide may be linked, as NIDA reports that substance use often precedes suicidal behavior in the military. According to NIDA, approximately 30% of Army suicides and 45% of suicide attempts since 2003 involved alcohol or drug use.³

Mental Health Care for Veterans & Active Duty

If you’re a Veteran in crisis, or if you’re concerned about one who is, you can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and then press “1”. Veterans can access mental health and SUD treatment through the VA, which provides numerous services like detox, and various counseling and therapy options.⁹

Treatment is also available through the VA Community Care Network (CCN) or at private treatment centers specializing in Veterans’ unique needs. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a part of the CCN, which means that the VA will pay for treatment at an AAC facility if the VA is unable to provide care.¹⁰ Keep in mind that this is dependent on certain conditions and eligibility factors, and the VA first needs to authorize your care.¹⁰

Our facilities can help all Veterans, including female Veterans and those mandated by treatment court. We provide various treatment options and settings including:

• Medical detox.
• Inpatient drug and alcohol rehab.
• Outpatient addiction treatment programs.
• Intensive outpatient addiction treatment programs.
• Partial hospitalization rehab programs.
• Sober living.

Does the VA Cover Mental Health Care?

Yes, the VA covers mental health care for eligible Veterans. The VA provides a range of mental health services, such as evidence-based therapies, medication, and supportive treatment options, in different settings that include in-person treatment, online treatment, and telehealth options.¹¹

To use Veterans insurance coverage for addiction treatment or access mental health services, you should first ensure that you are enrolled with a health care plan through the VA.9 If you are not yet enrolled, you can contact your local VA, call the VA general information hotline at 1-800-827-1000, or visit the VA healthcare website.⁹

Start Your Recovery Today

If you or a loved one are struggling with uncontrollable substance use or co-occurring disorders such as PTSD and addiction, we can help you manage it and take back control of your life. There is always hope, and recovery is possible.

Call American Addiction Centers (AAC) today at to speak to a compassionate and knowledgeable admissions navigator. They can help you learn more about the rehab admissions process for Veterans and how to use health insurance to pay for rehab, and easily verify your insurance. We are available to assist you 24/7–it’s confidential and free, with no obligation to enter treatment.