More than 140,000 U.S. veterans have died by suicide since 2001. Over the past two decades, an average of over 6,000 veterans have died by suicide each year, which equates to about 17 to 18 veterans per day. [1, 2, 3]

Key Statistics

• Current Rate: In 2023, there were 6,398 veteran suicides, averaging about 17.5 deaths per day.
• Disproportionate Risk: Veterans face a roughly 58% higher risk of suicide compared to non-veteran U.S. adults.
• Demographics: Veterans aged 18 to 34 have the highest suicide rates (47.9 per 100,000).
• Method: Over 71% of all veteran suicides involve firearms.
• Health Care Contact: Over 60% of veterans who died by suicide in recent years were not receiving health care through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in the last year of their life. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Additional Insights

• Post-9/11 Veterans: Between 2001 and 2020, researchers estimate that up to 30,000 post-9/11 veterans died by suicide, more than four times the number of personnel killed in action during those conflicts.
• TBI Risks: Veterans who live with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) face exceptionally elevated risks, reaching 100 deaths per 100,000. [1, 2]