Veteran Suicide Rate Steadily Increasing Per 100,000 Veterans Since 2001, Report Shows
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued an annual report addressing the veteran suicide rate, showing it has never been higher, 34.7 per 100,000 veterans – a much higher rate than non-veterans since 2001.
The VA press release announcing the report focused on more of the fuzzier math.
Meanwhile, VA published “Anchors of Hope” on page 2 with multiple infographics and statistics sometimes lacking context. VA’s upfront infographics show major accomplishments on behalf of the agency to fight veteran suicide. “In 2022, key areas of hope emerged…”
These hope anchors mainly included the rate of suicide decreasing or not increasing as fast.
For example, VA reported a 31.8% decrease in the rate of suicide for women veterans and a 0.9% decrease in the male veteran suicide rate aged 18-34. But as you read the report, you may notice certain metrics are highlighted in the splashy infographics while others are omitted or at least not highlighted.
However, buried into Part II of the report, this is s separate PDF, are the unadjusted numbers showing a concerning trend of suicide rates making me wonder how they arrived at some of the data on the first pages of Part I of the report:
- The unadjusted suicide rate for Veterans was 23.3 per 100,000 in 2001, 34.0 per 100,000 in 2021, and 34.7 per 100,000 in 2022.
- For non-Veteran U.S. adults, the suicide rate was 12.6 per 100,000 in 2001, 16.6 per 100,000 in 2021, and 17.1 per 100,000 in 2022.
- In 2022, Veterans between ages 18- and 34-years-old had a suicide rate of 47.6 per 100,000; the rate was 35.5 per 100,000 for those between ages 35- and 54-years-old; 31.2 per 100,000 for those between ages 55- and 74-years-old; and 33.8 per 100,000 for those aged 75-years-old and older.
- In 2022, the unadjusted suicide rate for female Veterans was 13.5 per 100,000 (down from 17.6 per 100,000 in 2021) and it was 37.3 per 100,000 for male Veterans (up from 35.9 per 100,000 in 2021.)
- In 2022, the unadjusted suicide rate of female non-Veteran U.S. adults was 7.2 per 100,000 (up from 6.9 per 100,000 in 2021) and it was 28.7 per 100,000 for male non-Veteran U.S. adults (up from 28.1 per 100,000 in 2021).
The numbers seem to be getting worse overall for the veteran population, not better. But it appears VA was able to get some wins, or Anchors of Hope, out of the report they issued.
This continued steady increase is consistent with the Congressional Research Service report on the same topic that came out earlier this year with the below graphic of VA’s data from the 2023 suicide report:
The July 2024 CRS report shows the veteran suicide rate per 100,000 is steadily climbing since 2001 and significantly higher suicide rates than adult non-veterans, “Although suicide rates have increased among the U.S. general population over the past two decades, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), veterans are disproportionately affected by suicide.”
For 2024, the CRS report shows VA spent an estimated $2.5B on suicide prevention treatment.
For suicide prevention outreach, if you include the Veteran Crisis Line phone counseling services, VA spent a combined estimated $920M.
I think it’s high time we follow the money, especially since the number of veteran suicides per day seems to be static over the past few years, at 17 or 18 per day, if you believe VA’s own data.
Timing Of Key OIG Reports
The timing of this press release and report is curious as it comes out on the heels of two horrific watchdog reports showing the agency is failing to live up to its dogma per the Office of Inspector General.
It would certainly appear something was coordinated by someone.
RELATED: Over 25% Of Suicidal Veterans Not Being Properly Screened Or Evaluated By VA
But, according to VA, VA is doing a great job. The first page of the report shows a series of info graphics with phrases like, “Anchors of Home.” Apparently, in 2022, “key areas of hope emerged…”
However, you may notice that the data from 2023 and 2024 are not included in the data.
VA Press Release
I always like to look over the press release to guess what the agency might be omitting or manipulating to look like it’s being a good steward with taxpayer dollars.
Good news. According to VA, they are doing good. The numbers were “lower than 12 of 14 previous years but three more than 2021,” coming in at 6,407 suicides reported or admitted. (I guess it takes nearly two years to manipulate the data to make it seem like we are serving veterans better.) Serving to minimize the presentment of the muffed punt (not a great few years since 2021), VA then highlighted the number of non-veteran suicides being 41,484 in 2022.
Is this supposed to make us feel better?
Midwest Not Doing Too Hot
To help unpack this, here are some interesting resources on the main VA web page linking to the report that I’d encourage you to look at:
- Individual State Data Sheets (what’s your state say?)
- In-depth Review
- Report Findings
I live in Minnesota.
Looking at what the report states, the suicide rate in Minnesota “Was significantly higher than the national general population suicide rate.”
The same is true for Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota.
When you are thinking about these numbers for veterans compared not non-veterans, it’s notable that the veteran population has decreased nearly 30% since 2001, while the civilian population increased by over 30%. Yet, veterans relative to non-veterans still have higher rates of suicide.
“In 2022, there were, on average, 131.2 suicides per day among U.S. adults, including 17.6 per day among Veterans and 113.7 per day among non-Veteran adults.”
I still believe that the 22 veteran suicides per day statistic is more accurate than VA’s data, but even assuming 17.6 per day is accurate, the rate in 2001 was lower, at 16.5 per day. So, what is VA doing with all the money? Are we succeeding?
Where is the Return on Investment (ROI) for the American taxpayer?
Tell me what you think about the press release below and the linked annual report. I included the press release in its entirety.
VA Press Release On Suicide Follows
VA releases annual Veteran suicide prevention report, analyzing 2001-2022 data
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs released the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. The report is the most comprehensive national report on Veteran suicide, analyzing Veteran suicide from 2001-2022 (the most recent years for which we have data).
The report shows that there were 6,407 suicides among Veterans in 2022, lower than 12 of 14 previous years but three more than in 2021. Among non-Veterans, there were 41,484 suicides in 2022, 1,476 higher than 2021.
Additional key report findings include decreases in suicide rates for:
- Women Veterans: From 2021 to 2022, age-adjusted suicide rates for female Veterans decreased by 24.1%, while for female non-Veteran U.S. adults, suicide rates increased by 5.2%. For male Veterans, age-adjusted suicide rates increased by 1.6%, while for male non-Veteran U.S. adults, rates increased by 1.8%.
- Homeless Veterans: Veterans with a documented history of homelessness in their VA medical records saw a 19.1% reduction in suicide from 2021 to 2022.
- Transitioning service members: For those who separated from the military in 2021, the suicide rate over the next 12 months was 46.2 per 100,000. This was lower than for those who separated in 2020 and down from a high of 51.0 per 100,000 for those who separated in 2019.
- Younger Veterans: The suicide rate for Veterans aged 18-34 years decreased by 3.8% from 2021 to 2022.
- Veterans with mental health conditions (long-term trend): From 2001 to 2022, suicide rates fell for Veterans receiving VHA care with diagnoses of anxiety (36.1%), depression (34.5%), post-traumatic stress disorder (31.6%), alcohol use disorder (13.7%).
Ending Veteran suicide is VA’s top clinical priority, a critical aspect of President Biden’s Unity Agenda for the nation, and the White House strategy for reducing military and Veteran suicide. Since 2022 began, VA has worked aggressively to expand support for Veterans in crisis, including offering no-cost health care to Veterans in suicidal crisis at VA or non-VA facilities; launching the 988 (then press 1) to help Veterans connect more quickly with caring, qualified responders through the Veterans Crisis Line; expanding firearm suicide prevention efforts; and encouraging Veterans to reach out for help through a national Veteran suicide prevention awareness campaign. Moving forward, VA and the entire Biden-Harris Administration will continue to work urgently to end Veteran suicide through a public health approach that combines both community-based and clinically based strategies to save lives.
“Every Veteran suicide is a tragedy,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough. “There is nothing more important to VA than ending Veteran suicide — and that means providing Veterans with the care they need, wherever they need it, whenever they need it. We will learn from this report to better serve Veterans and save lives.”
The report also provides a detailed overview of actions VA is taking to prevent suicide, and a detailed analysis of Veteran subpopulations. The report is based on verified data from the Centers for Disease Control and Department of Defense, and it meets the quality standards of a peer-reviewed publication. To ensure full transparency, VA releases yearly reports detailing how we come to the conclusions in the Annual Suicide Prevention Report.
Learn more information about VA’s comprehensive, nationwide efforts to prevent Veteran suicide. For additional Veteran suicide mortality data, see the report’s accompanying state data sheets.
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If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7, confidential support. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255. For more information about the Veterans Crisis Line, visit VeteransCrisisLine.net.
The VA can’t hold a candle to private care. What is the response to that? “Oh they just want to see the money go to other people in the community. There’s “corrupt motives.” Yeah right you shit heads. The worst people are ending up at VA and there’s a scandal every year… and denial of care is being protected with immunity. That and the VA would rather protect the jobs of people who should be fired. Don’t hand everyone that bullshit. That and you got millions of stupids who figure “something is better than nothing so it’s great.” A monkey could hand out goddamn pills and the VA track record isn’t better than regular hospital emergency rooms.
Veteran Healthcare and screening in New Mexico where I live near the VAMC Albuquerque- its pretty much non-existent. I have tried to get care here. Primary Care Doctors do not want you, specialty clinics only open with the primary referral just like an HMO with 28 day wait times, this VA- ER is the most disgusting place I have ever been to as hospitals go. The Bean Counters make certain there are not enough staff to see you in the ER. They just don’t care but they will show up for a photo op with Sen. Martin Heinrich
I would advise you get private insurance or if possible TRi-Care as my wife has. She can go anywhere but I can’t. Until the new administration sets in, nothing is going to change. Veterans get the shaft every time.
When you got a large majority of the population who agrees on veterans healthcare, like real healthcare, and care is being denied, that’s a serious sign of broken democracy and the culprits should be jailed. That’s the only way to fix things. You got people in this agency doing whatever they do or don’t want to do. Luigi Mangione is only the beginning. This shit is happening everywhere.
Bobby,
If you need healthcare from the VAMC do not come to New Mexico.
I am here in New Mexico. Raymond G Murphy Medical Center budget $12mill/mo but i can’t get into see my primary care Doctor to get a consult for Urology. So with a distended stomach and 2500 cc of urine locked up inside of me I went to a University Hospital UNMH where they took me in, in 5 minutes. I have now an indwelling catheter back pain and fever , groin pain off the chart like a systemic infection and i tried to call the VAMC today. I was told by gatekeeper nurse on the phone it takes 1-2 days to get a consult to go upstairs to Urology, this afternoon I was told it takes 28 days to get the consult if the VA Urology Dept accepts it.
TO sum it up, Raymond G Murphy uses the ER as an ADMISSIONS DEPT, not as an ER and that is why the Ambulance Driver told me to go to UNMH because the VA runs a DUMPSTER-ER where the patients weait for up to and beyond 8 hours for care- they only have one doctor working there and the Nurse asks inappropriate questions, i.e., referring to my wife: “Who seduced who?” . DUMPSTER-ER That is the colloquial term for it here. This is my second event with this VAMC since 2024. The trust is gone and I do not see how to get it back without completely overhauling the whole order of things out there and that will take guidance from those far above the local pay grade. The New Administration will here from me, and yes I have already filed complaints wi of New Mexico and the OIG. Tomorrow is another visit to the UNMH ER to get re-evaluated for the kidney infection. I saw the comment below for retaliation by the staff. I’m not planning to return to the VAMC here anytime so and not until they change my Primary Care DR Scott Cameron to a person who cares for his patients and knows that STAT orders can be written and that a Physician does have authority system to see his patients when necessary despite what the Bean Counter Director states the Prime Directive as cut care..
Here’s the rules at VA so you know what time it is when you walk in there
1) They’re gonna do whatever they feel like doing regardless of how you might feel
2) They’re gonna defend their jobs and that institution to the death even if it means gaslighting and lying
3) You got a problem with it then leave. You complain, you’ll get retaliation every single time.
VAMC Albuquerque uses the ER as the ADMISSIONS DEPT for an HMO– that’s how they run it here– like a really bad HMO.
Imagine that : VA HEAlTHCARE is now administered through the VAMC HMO SYSTEM.
ITs name should be changed to HELL-CARE!
Poor health outcomes in the USA courtesy of the fake heathcare system, the theatre performance that is VA. The incompetence from the less rational pseudo intellectuals in there is a blight on the nation. Many of them should be picking cotton by hand instead.
The mental health side is gonna pour sugar all over your ass when the primary care side denies care… and vice versa. When you walk out guess what? The people who fucked you soon retire so they won’t be reaping any consequences for any of it. And it’s like a revolving door for VA secretaries as well. The next guy gets to say, “Well I wasn’t in charge so you can’t sue me!” HEHE HOHO HAHA.
There hasn’t been a president in 20 years who has done a fucking thing to make agency wide standards across all facilities, much less enforce some standard. That’s why you have one VA where everyone rants and raves and another people want to bulldoze the place. Why? Because these stupid people think some genius is gonna come along and come up with something new and revolutionize some kind of care. And the opposite is happening. People go in there and piss people off and many leave. There’s things that work and things that don’t. They know shit by now, they’ve had 50 years, they just want to use the place as a laboratory with the veteran being the lab rat. It’s time to sue because they aren’t reaping the consequences when things go wrong. They simply continue on with their bullshit
I tell you what, that Augusta VA and that Gainesville VA, it’s a wonder someone hasn’t blown themselves up in there. I’m not suggesting anyone do that and I wouldn’t do it but it’s really a miracle because of what has or hasn’t occurred over the last decade at those facilities. Even Jacksonville is bad. These places really benefit from the crackdown on explosive making material after 9-11. Id go out on a limb and say that’s the only reason why some of those facilities are left standing today.
In China, you can get an MRI for like $65. At the VA you can get it for free, after a long wait time, but if the results of that MRI show something serious like spinal disk herniations or myelopathy, you’ll have to get insurance or pay cash to get it fixed. So that’s not a complete healthcare system whether you’re service connected or not. Them not telling people that as soon as they walk though the door is why it’s a fraudulent system that makes every single person in there dishonest. It’s just not a moral system.
Allllll the sideways bullshit and distorted information you find scratching your head about that’s written in your medical records is so they can defend themselves legally if they have to… using some bogus narrative. If you happen to catch what they’re doing and leave, that’s even better for them. The people in there are running a country club paid for with taxpayer money. It’s one of the most corrupt and bogus scams in all of American history, and the veterans who are the healthiest are usually the most happy with the theater production.
And not one person sued or fired which is why we continue to see problems. The judical branch is missing in action… and that’s the missing link to problem solving. Those slick shits at VA are smart as a whip and can talk themselves out of anything. Someone needs to pull a Luigi Mangione on a few of them since the federal courts don’t want to go their duty.
These VA clowns just eat lawsuits by the way. They don’t give a shit if they win or lose. They’re gonna continue to do whatever they do or don’t want to do regardless so…I can even see why the judiciary wouldn’t even want to bother with remedy or issuing judgements against these people. They don’t give a shit and you can kiss their ass if you don’t like what they do.
Instead of the VA secretary going on and on with the nationalist propaganda, saying that the country is the greatest in human history and all this bullshit, what he really should be saying is “Damn, this system is really making Americans look bad.” These people live in lala land and need to sober up. People aren’t going for this bullshit anymore
The concern with me as far as suicide and dealing with the VA is this…it looks to me like dealing with them could jeopardize one’s Constitutional rights…as in they could become more involved in your life over a long period of time whether you like it or not. These things aren’t spelled out and explained to veterans perhaps because the VA feels that might turn people off. But things don’t have to be that way see? The lack of uniform policy at VA and hesitation of VA to explain how it works doesn’t garner trust. If they got their shit together and started to explain exactly what people can and can’t expect at VA then things would become better. Perhaps the truth is they can’t make promises and their policies aren’t attractive. In that case they should change them instead of leaving people wondering. Lotta what they do is to protect themselves legally and it just ends up doing the exact opposite. That’s what happens when you have bad policy and inadequate resources, human or otherwise, to solve problems. And that’s not all on Congress. I’m not buying that shit.
The VA is refusing to recognize that Anosognosia (organic denial) is different from and should be treated different from ego denial.
Anosognosia is the result of TBI especially including blast concussive TBI, Cerebral Malaria, diving accidents and other organic causes. It is likely that all cerebral malaria victims suffer from anosognosia and have suicide rates higher than any other group. About 250,000 in the first 5 years in Vietnam. (do not know where that number comes from)
The VA refuses to study this cerebral malaria group because it might open another group for compensation.
They just wing it when they diagnose people. I’ve seen them try to diagnose people with personality disorder when they were really on the verge of psychosis because of bad medication management. So basically got rid of someone that they had a hand in fucking up. Just nasty people in need of suing.