Service members accept the risk of dying in combat while defending their nation, but few anticipate losing their lives—or the lives of those close to them—to suicide. Recent estimates show that since 9/11, nearly four times as many active-duty personnel and veterans have died by suicide as have been killed in battle.
Even with sustained efforts to strengthen suicide prevention, rates stay stubbornly high. Active-duty Army personnel, for example, experience suicide rates almost twice those of other branches and over two and a half times the civilian average. Among veterans, the toll is greater still, with roughly 17 or more taking their own lives each day.
Research focuses on uncovering what fuels these elevated rates in specific groups. Pinpointing the triggers that lead service members and veterans to contemplate or plan suicide is essential for effective prevention.
Risk factors for suicide in the military
Numerous elements contribute to heightened suicidal thoughts among service members and veterans, and the challenges differ between those on active duty and those who have separated.
For active-duty personnel, key contributors include isolation, relationship strain, workplace conflict, trauma exposure, irregular routines, heightened stress, sleep deprivation, injuries, and chronic pain. Veterans face all these plus the added hurdle of reintegrating into civilian life.
Military training and experience can also increase “capability” for suicide: reduced fear of death, higher pain tolerance, and ready access to lethal means such as firearms.
Reimagining suicide research in the military
Persistent rises in suicide demand fresh approaches to studying the problem. New methodological advances are enabling researchers to examine suicide dynamics in more nuanced ways, both inside and beyond the military.
In one recent study, 92 participants installed a smartphone app and completed brief surveys on suicide risk factors four times daily for 30 days. Applying network analysis—a cutting-edge statistical technique—revealed which risk elements most strongly influenced others, both instantaneously and across longer periods.
The analysis highlighted three central drivers of suicidal thoughts among service members and veterans: feeling ineffective or burdensome, low belonging or disconnection from others, and agitation.
Strengthening belonging and effectiveness
Findings suggest the military should examine how its structures support or undermine belonging and a sense of effectiveness. This need grows as technological roles—like drone operations in isolated settings—reduce interpersonal contact.
Many active-duty members describe task saturation: overwhelming workloads without adequate time, tools, or support. They also endure schedules that leave little room for rest or reflection. Granting more time for task completion and meaningful review could restore effectiveness and clarify individual contributions to mission success.
Leadership could emphasize and celebrate unit accomplishments over solo achievements, fostering belonging while easing feelings of inadequacy and, in turn, suicidal ideation.S
imple agitation-reduction practices—progressive muscle relaxation, massage, or gentle exercise—may also prove valuable.Much remains to be done to reverse this crisis and support those who serve.
If suicidal thoughts affect you or someone you care about, help is available.
For military-focused support, dial 988 and press 1, text 838255, or visit www.veteranscrisisline.net.
Lethal Means Safety Initiatives in the U.S. Military
The U.S. military addresses firearm access as a key factor in suicide prevention through “lethal means safety” programs, which emphasize temporarily restricting access to firearms during periods of elevated risk. These are voluntary and collaborative, often involving unit leaders, peers, or health professionals. While there isn’t a single, universal program mandating that all service members leave personal firearms at work, several evidence-based policies and initiatives encourage or facilitate secure storage options, including at military bases or armories. This approach has proven effective; for example, research shows that reducing firearm access during crises can lower suicide risk significantly.
Key Programs and Policies
- Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 6490.16: Defense Suicide Prevention Program
This overarching policy authorizes commanders and health professionals to request that service members at risk voluntarily store their privately owned firearms and ammunition offsite or with trusted individuals (e.g., at the unit armory, a fellow service member’s secure location, or a designated storage facility). It’s integrated into broader suicide prevention training and is emphasized in the DoD’s Annual Report on Suicide in the Military. The goal is to create a “pause” between crisis and action, with studies indicating up to a 91% reduction in suicide deaths through such measures. - Pause to Protect Initiative
Launched by the DoD’s Defense Suicide Prevention Office (in partnership with USAA’s Face the Fight Foundation), this program promotes safe firearm storage and educates local firearm businesses (e.g., gun shops near military installations) to offer temporary, voluntary storage for service members and veterans. It equips communities with resources like lockboxes and training materials to support military personnel, focusing on reducing access during high-risk periods without restricting ownership. - Unit-Level and Armory Storage Protocols
Many military units implement informal or command-directed practices where service members can opt to store personal firearms at the workplace armory overnight or during leave, similar to Israeli Defense Forces policies that reduced suicides by 40% through base storage requirements. DoD guidelines explicitly support this for active-duty personnel, with line leaders trained to advocate for it during risk assessments.
Supporting Resources
- For immediate help, service members can contact the Military Crisis Line: Dial 988 and press 1, text 838255, or visit militarycrisisline.net.
- Additional tools include the VA’s Keep It Secure campaign, which provides secure storage solutions tailored to military lifestyles, and peer-led efforts like the Forge Foundation’s Overwatch+ Project for veterans.
These initiatives are part of a comprehensive public health strategy, with ongoing expansions as of 2025 to include more training and community partnerships. If you’re a service member or veteran seeking storage options, start with your chain of command or a local installation’s suicide prevention coordinator.