Statistical Overview
Suicides in the U.S. military rose to 523 in 2023, up from 493 in 2022, with active-duty suicides increasing to 363 from 331. The rate per 100,000 active-duty service members also saw a rise, though it was not statistically significant.
The increase was primarily driven by the and , while the and experienced a slight decrease. The number of suicides among Reserve members heightened, whereas National Guard suicides saw a slight reduction.
Policy and Prevention Efforts
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has prioritized suicide prevention, initiating programs to enhance mental health support and education on gun safety. However, many proposed measures, especially those recommended by an independent commission, remain unimplemented.
The independent commission's recommendations included waiting periods for firearm purchases and raising the minimum age for buying guns and ammunition to 25. , however, opted for incentives for secure firearm storage and additional education rather than implementing these key changes.