Department of Defense Annual Report on Suicide in the Military

Attached to this update is the 2022 Department of Defense Annual Report on Suicide in the Military provided by the Office of Force Resiliency. This report is published annually to provide suicide data for Service members and their families & describes current and ongoing efforts to address suicide in the Department of Defense (DoD).

Department of Defense Annual Report on Suicide in the Military

Some Key Takeaways:

·     Fewer Service members died by suicide in 2022 (492) than last year (524)

·     The suicide rate for the Active Component increased by 3% compared to 2021. Reserve and National Guard, rates decreased by 12% and 18%

·     The overall trend from 2011 – 2022 for the Active Component is increasing, and there is no decreasing or increasing trend for the Reserve and National Guard between 2011-2022

·     Firearms are the leading method of suicide death (69% Total, 65-81% by Component)

·     Fewer family members died by suicide in 2021 (168) than in previous years (~200) and rates are 16% lower than in 2020.

·     Firearms continue to be the leading method of suicide death (56-61%)

Please review the attached presentation, and if you know of anyone who may be at risk of suicide don’t stay silent, speak up and help.

Veterans can access help by:

• Dialing 988 then pressing 1
• Using the online chat feature at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
• Texting 838255