VA Reports Veteran Suicides Fell To 12-Year Low In 2019

Suicides among veterans reached a 12-year low in 2019, according to a report Wednesday from the Department of Veteran Affairs.

The VA’s report showed that 6,261 veterans died by suicide in 2019. The number had not dipped below 6,400 since 2007, when roughly 6,200 suicides occurred.

There was an average of 17 suicides a day in 2019, marking a 7% decrease. There were 399 fewer suicides in 2019 compared to 2018. In 2019, suicide rates for female veterans fell 13% and male veterans dropped 4%.

The VA has yet to report on any suicides that occurred during the pandemic and noted the possibility of a “negative rebound effect.”

VA officials have said they have not observed increases in “documented suicide-related indicators” since the pandemic began.

"Although VA is heartened that 399 fewer Veterans died by suicide in 2019 compared to 2018, VA is poignantly and painfully mindful that 6,261 Veterans died by suicide in 2019," the VA said in its report. "While the differential in adjusted suicide rates between Veterans and non-Veterans decreased from its high of being 66.3% greater in 2017, the fact remains that Veterans in 2019 reflected a suicide rate 52.3% higher than non-Veterans in the U.S."

VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in a statement that "suicide prevention remains a top priority for VA, with the most significant amount of resources ever appropriated and apportioned to VA suicide prevention.”

Veterans between the ages of 55 and 74 represented the largest number of suicides accounting for 39%.

According to a report in February from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the national suicide rate fell 2.1% and suicides for veterans fell 7%.

“I think you’re seeing the manifestation of core truths within suicide prevention; number one, that suicide is preventable,” said Dr. Matt Miller, director of the VA Suicide Prevention Program. “There are evidence-based programs, intervention actions that can be taken within clinical settings and within community settings that can make a meaningful difference.”