Veteran suicide rates remain high despite recent declines

Recent data highlights ongoing mental health challenges among veterans in Australia and the United States. In Australia, the ninth annual report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that while suicide rates among ex-serving members have declined over the past decade, they remain significantly higher than national averages for both men and women.

Among Australian ex-serving females, the rate dropped from 23.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2015-2017 to 8.3 in 2022-2024. For males, the rate fell from 33.3 to 25.5 in the same period, though it remains approximately three times higher than the female rate. The report notes that veterans separated involuntarily for medical reasons face suicide rates nearly three times higher than those who chose to leave the Australian Defence Force. Suicide is the leading cause of death for ex-serving individuals under age 30.

In the United States, the 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report from the VA recorded 6,398 veteran suicides in 2023. In response, the “Don’t Wait. Reach Out.” campaign, involving the Ad Council and veteran Raphael Rigaud, is promoting peer-to-peer support through “Buddy Checks” to help veterans recognize signs of distress and connect with resources.