Each year, the number of active-duty service members lost to suicide continues to rise, underscoring a crisis that demands immediate attention. These numbers aren’t just statistics; they represent lives lost and families devastated.
The Alarming Rise of Suicide Among Active-Duty Service Members
Facts & Statistics
30,177
military suicides in nearly two decades following 9/11
Brown University’s Costs of War project
41.4%
increase in suicide rates among active-duty service members from 2015 to 2020
Department of Defense Annual Suicide Report, Calendar Year 2020
134
estimated number of individuals directly affected by each suicide
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
4x
more suicides than combat deaths post-9/11, with most never seeing a combat zone
Brown University’s Cost of War Project
945,000
estimated lives shattered by active-duty suicides from 2015 to 2024
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Tragic Cycle
Survivors face higher suicide risk after a service member’s death
DoD Quarterly Reports
Why It’s Happening
Behind the numbers are systemic issues that need to be addressed. A limited access to mental health resources, the stigma associated with seeking help, and the unique pressures faced by service members all play a role. Shosh, our researcher, provides in-depth insights into these challenges, helping us better understand the root causes of this crisis: The DoD tends to assign blame for suicide among its ranks on the individuals’ personal circumstances, such as relationship troubles, substance abuse, behavioral issues, and financial challenges. There is an abundance of evidence, however, that Toxic Leaders must be included in this causal list.
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How You Can Help Right Now
You have the power to make a difference. Every action, no matter how small, brings us closer to change.
- Click to copy the link to this page. On a computer, open an email or social media and press Command+V (Mac) or Ctrl+V (Windows) to paste it. On a phone, open a text message, email, or social media and tap and hold where you’d like to share it, then select “Paste.”
- Use our social media toolkit to help us spread awareness and reach more people.
- Write to your lawmakers and demand the Military hold toxic leaders accountable for abusive and demeaning behaviors.
- Write to your lawmakers and demand better mental health resources for active-duty service members.
- Make a donation to support Grieving Grandmothers of Military Suicide. Your contributions help us provide resources, build community, and advocate for meaningful change.
Together, we can build awareness and save lives. Join us in taking a stand today.