The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has reached record levels of suicide risk screening and follow-up evaluations, marking a significant step in its ongoing effort to address one of the most persistent public health challenges facing former service members.
According to VA data, 6,398 veterans died by suicide in 2023, which equated to just over 17 deaths per day. The suicide rate among veterans—35.2 per 100,000 people—is more than double the general U.S. population.
In a May 6 news release, the department said 88 percent of veterans who received VA care in the previous year completed an annual suicide risk screening as of March 2026, the highest rate since tracking began in 2021.
At the same time, 96 percent of veterans identified as at risk received a comprehensive follow-up evaluation within 24 hours, another record high.
What the VA Has Changed
The improvements come after years of scrutiny over gaps in suicide prevention efforts. A 2024 watchdog report found significant failures in screening and follow-up care, prompting the VA to tighten protocols and expand oversight.
In response, the VA has increased outreach, improved compliance with its standardized screening system and worked to connect more veterans—particularly those not enrolled in VA care—with mental health services.
This is critical because more than 60 percent of veterans who die by suicide were not in VA care in the two years before their death, highlighting a major gap in access and engagement.
The Scale of the Problem
Despite these gains, suicide among veterans remains a significant issue.
According to Stop Soldier Suicide, a nonprofit working to reduce the military suicide rate, more than 140,000 veterans have died by suicide since 2001, and it is the second-leading cause of death among veterans under age 45.
Research consistently points to a combination of risk factors, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, chronic pain, substance use and difficulties transitioning to civilian life. Younger veterans and those recently leaving active duty face particularly elevated risks.
“In the first year after leaving the military, the suicide rate among veterans reaches 46.2 per 100,000,” Stop Soldier Suicide said on its website. “This is one of the most vulnerable periods in a veteran’s life—when immediate intervention can make all the difference.”
The VA reported that firearms access remains a leading risk factor. “Unsecured firearms in the home increase the risk of suicide death,” the department wrote in the 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention report. “In 2023, firearms were involved in 73.3 percent of veteran deaths by suicide.”
What This Means for Veterans and Families
The VA’s data suggests progress in identifying at-risk individuals earlier and intervening faster—two factors widely considered crucial in suicide prevention.
For veterans still engaged with the VA system, the higher screening and evaluation rates mean more routine check-ins, quicker access to care and tailored follow-up plans. For families, it may offer reassurance that warning signs are more likely to be detected within clinical settings.
However, the data also reinforces a key reality: Many of those at greatest risk are outside the system entirely. Families, friends and communities, therefore, remain a critical first line of support.
What Veterans Can Do if They Need Help
Veterans in crisis—or those concerned about someone else—have several immediate options:
- Call the Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 and press 1. This service is available 24/7
- Text: 838255
- Online chat: VeteransCrisisLine.net
The VA has stressed that support is free, confidential and available to everyone, even those not enrolled in VA benefits or health care. The department also advises veterans to seek help through local VA medical centers or emergency rooms, or by contacting a suicide prevention coordinator.
In addition, experts emphasize practical steps, such as reaching out to trusted friends, reducing access to lethal means and seeking early mental health support before a crisis escalates.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “988” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
Read the full article here
