Donate

Brain Trauma & Veteran Suicide

Suicide risk is of particular concern among military Veterans and service members. This risk is increased by a history of TBI and/or PTSD.

Facts on Military and Veteran Suicide

  • Veterans are at 57% higher risk of suicide than those who haven't served.¹
  • In 2020, there was an average of 16.8 Veteran suicides per day – 6,146 in total.¹
  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in Veterans under age 45.²
Veteran suicide fact: Veterans are at 57% higher risk of suicide than those who haven't served.
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Military and Veteran Suicide Rates

While anyone can experience suicide risks, certain groups have substantially higher rates of suicide than the general U.S. population. Veterans bear a disproportionate but preventable burden. Tragically, out of the 130 suicides per day in 2019, 17 of those lives lost were Veterans. In 2019, among the average of 17.2 Veteran suicides per day, an estimated 6.8 suicides per day were among those with VHA encounters in 2018 or 2019, whereas 10.4 per day were among Veterans with no VHA encounter in 2018 or 2019.3 Veteran suicide-related deaths were also increasing at a greater rate than that of the general U.S. population. From 2001 to 2019, the rate of suicide among Veterans increased by nearly 36% relative to an increase of 30% in the general population.3

Additional Resources on ‘Military and Veteran Suicide Rates’

Military and veteran suicide rate
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury TBI risk factors

PTSD and TBI Risk Factors

Both PTSD and TBI can increase the risk of suicide. Studies by the Department of Veterans Affairs found that a history of TBI or PTSD is associated with a substantially increased likelihood of suicide attempts compared to those without the diagnosis — 1.5 and 2.8, respectively. For those with both TBI and PTSD, the likelihood of a suicide attempt is 3.3 times greater than for those with a TBI alone. Studies among civilians also show a link between suicide and a history of PTSD and/or TBI.

Veterans living with PTSD are at a higher risk of suicide, as they spend years waiting for a diagnosis that will explain their symptoms or cycle through numerous treatments without finding relief.

Brain trauma changes the structure and function of the brain and can lead to various cognitive, physical, and emotional symptoms. Some of these symptoms may appear immediately after the traumatic event or brain injury, while others may be delayed, emerging months, or even years later. This complexity makes diagnosing and treating PTSD and TBI more difficult.

Delayed diagnosis and ineffective treatments can result in the most devastating outcome of all, suicidality. For the first time in our nation’s history, suicides from invisible wounds are outpacing the number of in-theatre deaths from physical wounds.

We must treat the underlying conditions that increase the risk of suicide.

  • Despite decades of promising research and billions spent on clinical studies, there are no cures for the invisible wounds.
  • Patients are diagnosed based on subjective, patient-reported symptoms, not in an objective way based on their unique biology.
  • We lack reliable, evidence-based treatments.

Additional Resources on ‘PTSD and TBI Risk Factors’

Learn how our Veterans Advisory Council (VAC) serves as a voice for The Veterans Community

Need Help Now?

Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one?  You’re not alone—the Veterans Crisis Line is here for you. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call. 

Dial 988, then press 1
or visit www.veteranscrisisline.net

Resources and Further Reading

Sources / Citations

1 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report
2 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Stop Soldier Suicide, Vet Stats
3 Reducing Military and Veteran Suicide, CDC, June 15, 2022.

Cohen Veterans Bioscience (CVB) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity research organization and does not offer medical advice. CVB encourages you to seek medical advice from a physician or healthcare provider if you have questions regarding a medical condition or to call 911 or go to the nearest hospital if you find that you or someone you are concerned about is in an emergency situation.

Cohen Veterans Bioscience is a non-profit 501(c)(3) biomedical research and technology organization dedicated to advancing brain health by fast-tracking precision diagnostics and tailored therapeutics.

Cohen Veterans Bioscience is a non-profit 501(c)(3) biomedical research and technology organization dedicated to advancing brain health by fast-tracking precision diagnostics and tailored therapeutics.

©2023 Cohen Veterans Bioscience |  Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Newsletter
Donate