Department of Veterans Affairs (Photo: Tony Webster)
The VA’s latest suicide prevention report found that most Veterans who died by suicide in 2024 had not recently received VA healthcare.
The report––officially the 2026 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report––released on Sept. 30. examines national death-certificate data from 2001 through 2024, the most recent year available.
According to the VA, 6,488 Veterans died by suicide in 2024, an average of 17.7 deaths per day, and 90 more deaths than the 6,398 reported in 2023. Of Veterans who died by suicide in 2024, 62 percent had not received VA healthcare during the year of their death or the previous year. Critically, a Veteran may be enrolled in VA healthcare but not have received care during that period.
The report also found different suicide-rate trends between Veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration and those who were not enrolled. From 2023 to 2024, the suicide rate among VHA enrollees fell 4.8 percent, while the rate among unenrolled Veterans increased 3.7 percent.
The difference was even larger over the longer term. From 2001 through 2024, the suicide rate among VHA enrollees declined 2.2 percent while the rate among Veterans who were not enrolled increased 70.8 percent. The research does not show that VA enrollment by itself caused the difference. The report tracks deaths and population trends, but does not determine why individual Veterans died by suicide or measure the effect of a single prevention program.
VA enrollment grew substantially during the years covered by the report. The percentage of Veterans enrolled in VHA healthcare increased from 19.5 percent in 2001 to 50.1 percent in 2024.
The VA’s outreach efforts have continued bringing more Veterans into care, with more than 280,000 new Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare in 2026 through its outreach campaign. A separate effort with civilian healthcare providers also helped VA identify and contact 140,000 Veterans considered at risk, and 40 percent had not recently received care from the VA.
The VA has also expanded access to emergency suicide prevention care for Veterans who may not regularly use its healthcare system. Eligible Veterans can receive emergency suicide prevention care at any emergency department at no cost. Since 2023, almost 50,000 Veterans have used the benefit.
The numbers show the challenge VA faces in reaching Veterans before a crisis, particularly those who have little or no recent contact with its healthcare system.
California recorded 410 Veteran suicide deaths in 2024, up from 389 in 2023. The state’s Veteran suicide rate was 28.5 per 100,000. After adjusting for age, the VA found California’s Veteran suicide rate was lower than the national Veteran rate but higher than the national general-population rate.
Veterans in crisis, or anyone concerned about a Veteran, can call 988 and press 1 or text 838255 for confidential support. An American Legion Veterans Service Officer can help Veterans enroll in VA healthcare or navigate other Veterans benefits.
Donate to help support California American Legion Programs.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
