WASHINGTON — The United States military has observed a rise in suicide rates in 2023, a continuation of a troubling trend that Defense officials have been trying to manage. This increase comes after a slight dip in numbers the previous year, which makes it a notable setback.
Officials have indicated that both the specific number of suicides and the rate per 100,000 active-duty personnel have seen an upward shift, although they noted that the change was not statistically significant. Additionally, while suicide rates among Reserve members increased, the National Guard experienced a slight decline.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has prioritized this issue, and leaders within the Department of Defense have been actively developing programs aimed at enhancing mental health support for military personnel. Initiatives to improve education around gun safety, including proper storage and use of firearms, are also underway. However, many of these initiatives remain partially implemented, which falls short of the more rigorous gun safety recommendations proposed by a civilian commission.
The recent surge in suicide numbers has been primarily linked to an increase in fatalities in the Army and Air Force, while the Marine Corps and Navy reported a minor reduction in their cases. Officials provided this information on the basis of anonymity, as the details have not yet been publicly disclosed.
In total, there have been 523 suicides reported in 2023, an increase from 493 the previous year. Among active-duty troops, the fatalities rose from 331 to 363. Defense personnel have stated that due to the shrinking size of the active-duty military, they find the suicide rate more indicative than the sheer number of suicides. Currently, the rate is based on an active-duty population of about 1.28 million, as well as around 330,000 Reserve members and nearly 430,000 National Guardsmen. Notably, both the active-duty and Reserve suicide rates increased, although the rate among the National Guard slightly decreased.
Looking at trends since 2011, active-duty military suicides have generally risen, while Reserve and Guard rates have remained mostly stable. This reflects broader societal suicide trends, particularly when adjusted for variables like age and gender. Since a significant portion of military personnel are young males, the statistics often align with those seen in the general population in similar demographic groups.
An annual report, which will be released soon, indicates that the profile of those who take their own lives—primarily young, male enlisted members—remains consistent. Furthermore, data suggests that firearms are the most common method used.
While suicide statistics for military family members typically lag by a year, data shows a 9% drop in family member suicides in 2022 compared to the previous year. Interestingly, although there are significantly fewer male spouses, they account for nearly half of these suicide fatalities.
An independent committee earlier recommended various gun safety protocols to help mitigate these suicide rates, including implementing waiting periods for firearm purchases on military bases. They suggested raising the minimum age for service members to buy firearms to 25, mandating the registration of privately owned firearms in military housing, and imposing storage restrictions in barracks and dorms.
In light of this report, Austin launched a new initiative focused on suicide prevention, but the Department of Defense opted not to implement some of the more stringent firearm regulations suggested by the committee. Instead, the Pentagon plans to encourage secure firearm storage, improve accessibility to storage options, and enhance public education efforts regarding safe gun usage—initiatives that resemble prior discussions.
Defense officials mentioned that forthcoming changes might involve providing service members with vouchers to help cover the costs of securing gun locks and storage. Efforts to modernize training for safe gun practices and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health assistance are also underway.
Moreover, military branches are actively recruiting personnel for suicide prevention programs, with approximately 1,000 professionals hired so far and a goal of reaching 2,500 by 2028.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, assistance is available through the national suicide and crisis hotline by calling or texting 988, or through an online chat.
