The VA recently released its National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, providing an analysis of Veteran suicides in 2021, the latest year for which data is available.
The report revealed a concerning increase, with 6,392 Veterans dying by suicide in 2021, a rise of 114 compared to the previous year. Non-Veteran suicides also saw an increase, reaching 40,020 deaths in 2021, a surge of 2,000 from 2020.
The report emphasized the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Veterans, citing factors such as financial strain, housing instability, elevated anxiety and depression levels, and barriers to healthcare as contributors to the heightened risk of suicide. Additionally, a surge in availability of firearms in 2021 was identified as a significant factor associated with increased suicide risk. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Veteran suicides had witnessed a promising decrease for two consecutive years, declining from 6,718 in 2018 to 6,278 in 2020.
Addressing Veteran suicide is a top clinical priority for the VA and aligns with President Biden’s Unity Agenda. Since 2021, the VA has implemented various measures to support Veterans in crisis, including providing no-cost healthcare to those in suicidal crisis, launching the 988 helpline to expedite connections with responders, collaborating with community-based suicide prevention organizations, expanding firearm suicide prevention efforts, and promoting awareness through a national campaign. These initiatives have yielded positive outcomes, including over 33,000 Veterans receiving free emergency healthcare, a 12.1% increase in the use of the Veterans Crisis Line, and more than 3.5 million visits to VA’s support website.
VA Secretary Denis McDonough emphasized the critical importance of preventing Veteran suicide, stating that even one suicide is one too many. Lawmakers, including House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost, expressed concern over the troubling data and emphasized the ongoing need to combat veteran suicides. Senator Tim Kaine introduced the “Not Just a Number Act,” a bipartisan legislation directing the VA to assess the relationship between VA benefits and suicide outcomes to identify effective programs and expand their access.
In response to the report, The American Legion’s Chief Marketing Officer, Dean Kessel, expressed disappointment in the current statistics. He emphasized the importance of destigmatizing the process of seeking help for Veterans. The American Legion, through its “Be the One” program, seeks to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health treatment and encourage proactive intervention when a Veteran’s life is at risk.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 at 988 (Press 1) or online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.