Military suicides have been on the rise, with 523 reported suicides in 2023 compared to 493 in 2022. The number of active-duty troops who died by suicide increased to 363 from 331 the previous year, marking a 12% increase. This is concerning as suicide remains the biggest killer of service members, surpassing training accidents, illnesses, homicides, or combat-related deaths.
The rate of suicides per 100,000 individuals also went up last year. Suicide deaths among active-duty service members have been increasing since 2011. While the rates are similar to those in the general population when adjusted for age and gender, the military, being predominantly young and male, faces unique challenges.
Dr. Elizabeth Clark, director of the Defense Suicide Prevention Office, emphasized that the longer-term trends are more worrying than the year-over-year uptick. Despite efforts and investments in suicide prevention programs, the numbers continue to rise. A significant finding from the data is that many suicide victims had sought help before their deaths.
Relationship problems were reported by 44% of military suicide victims within a year prior to their death, highlighting the need for a supportive environment for service members and their families. The Pentagon has allocated significant funds to address military suicides, with over half a billion dollars requested for the issue in 2025.
The Suicide Prevention Response and Independent Review Committee provided 83 recommendations to address military suicides, focusing on improving mental health care delivery, reducing stigma, and enhancing suicide prevention training. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the urgent need to intensify efforts in suicide prevention and postvention.
The Marine Corps saw the largest increase in suicides, followed by the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Sixty-one percent of victims were enlisted males younger than 30. Moving forward, troops can expect more interactive and personalized suicide prevention training that is tailored to their needs and experiences.
It is clear that more needs to be done to address the rising military suicide rates despite increased prevention efforts. The Pentagon must continue to prioritize mental health care, reduce stigma, and provide comprehensive support for service members and their families to combat this concerning trend.
