The 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, published by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, provides new information regarding suicide mortality among Veterans and non-Veteran U.S. adults, from 2001 through 2021.

In 2021, 6,392 Veterans died by suicide, an increase of 114 suicides from 2020. When looking at increases in rates from 2020 to 2021, the age- and sex-adjusted suicide rate among Veterans increased by 11.6%, while the age- and sex-adjusted suicide rate among non-Veteran U.S. adults increased by 4.5%. Veterans remain at elevated risk for suicide. These numbers are more than statistics — they reflect Veterans’ lives prematurely ended, which continue to be grieved by family members, loved ones, and the Nation.

“The American Association of Suicidology supports the efforts to prevent veteran suicide,” said AAS President & Chief Executive Officer, Leeann Sherman, MPS, CAE. “The most recent data solidifies the need to provide more support and resources for our veterans and their families. One Veteran suicide is one too many.”