Suicide is a heartbreaking and complex issue and one that disproportionately impacts the Veterans. Did you know that Veterans are 58% more likely to die by suicide than their civilian counterparts? That statistic is really eye opening and should lead us all to think deeply about this suicide crisis within the military community.
At Stop Soldier Suicide, we talk about it with honesty, compassion, and commitment. While every person’s experience is unique, research shows there are certain factors and challenges that are fisk factors for Veteran suicide. Understanding why this happens is an important step toward preventing these losses and making sure veterans get the support they both need and deserve.
Prevailing suicide theories indicate that suicide often involves a combination of three major feelings:
Feeling like a burden
Feeling disconnected or without purpose
Having access to highly lethal means
For many veterans, these factors can be intensified, especially after leaving the military. The transition out of military service brings real, deeply human challenges that often go unseen.
During active duty, service members often have a strong sense of mission, structure, and belonging. They’re part of a team that depends on each other. That purpose and camaraderie is powerful — and when someone transitions out, the sudden absence of it can feel disorienting or isolating.
The shift into civilian life can leave veterans feeling unsure of where they fit, what comes next, or who they can lean on. Those changes can amplify feelings of loneliness or burdensomeness, even when loved ones see things differently. If a Veteran is younger, and perhaps without a spouse and children, these feelings of loneliness can be amplified, which is one aspect of why younger veterans are dying by suicide at a higher rate than older veterans.
Helping veterans find connection and purpose after their military service concludes is a critical aspect toward suicide prevention. You do not need to be a clinician to support positive mental health within the military community. Rather, be a great friend, family member, or employer. Engage with Veterans in meaningful ways that help them feel connected and valued.
Most veterans are highly familiar and proficient with firearms, and gun ownership is significantly more common among the veteran community. Because firearms are the most lethal suicide method, this access raises the risk dramatically during moments of crisis.
Reducing that risk isn’t about judgment — it’s about safety, support, and helping veterans get through their hardest moments. Research indicates that an individual’s decision to end one's life can be quick. Adding moments between the decision and the action can, and does, save a life. For this reason, adding a few crucial moments using a gunlock might allow someone more time to think - adding invaluable and lifesaving time to the clock.
Mental health challenges like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are more common among those who have served, especially in combat roles. Both conditions are linked to higher suicide risk.
These aren’t signs of weakness. They are real injuries — and like any injury, they deserve proper care, understanding, and treatment. The great news is that we do know there are effective treatments for PTSD and recovery is possible.
When we name these challenges openly, we remove stigma and create space for meaningful support. We also reinforce something essential: suicide is preventable, especially when we can identify patterns and intervene early.
That belief guides everything we do at Stop Soldier Suicide.
It’s essential that suicide prevention keeps evolving — and that we let data, research, and real-world evidence guide us toward solutions that truly save lives. That’s exactly what drives our work at Stop Soldier Suicide. Through our two major efforts — ROGER, our individualized, suicide-specific wellness service, and the Black Box Project, our groundbreaking research initiative — we’re pushing the field forward and creating tools that can make a measurable difference for the military community.
From research and innovation to one-on-one personalized care, we’re working to reduce risk, restore hope, and be there for veterans before their darkest moment.
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If you are a veteran or service member and need help, please visit our ROGER Wellness Service at GoRoger.org/Get-Help or call 844-394-9472 (833-MY-ROGER).