By the Numbers: 30 October 2023
492
The number of service members who died by suicide in 2022, according to the Annual Report on Suicide in the Military, Calendar Year 2022, released last week by the Department of Defense, Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness. This is fewer than the 524 who died by suicide the previous year.
• Military suicide rates were similar to the U.S. population in most years between 2011-2021 after accounting for age and sex differences.
• Most Service members who died by suicide were young, enlisted men.
• In CY21, 168 family members died by suicide, including 114 spouses and 54 dependents. While every death by suicide is a tragedy, we are cautiously encouraged at this reduction from the previous year (CY20) data that indicated 202 dependent deaths by suicide.
• Firearms were the primary method of suicide death for Service members and family members.
492
The number of service members who died by suicide in 2022, according to the Annual Report on Suicide in the Military, Calendar Year 2022, released last week by the Department of Defense, Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness. This is fewer than the 524 who died by suicide the previous year.
• Military suicide rates were similar to the U.S. population in most years between 2011-2021 after accounting for age and sex differences.
• Most Service members who died by suicide were young, enlisted men.
• In CY21, 168 family members died by suicide, including 114 spouses and 54 dependents. While every death by suicide is a tragedy, we are cautiously encouraged at this reduction from the previous year (CY20) data that indicated 202 dependent deaths by suicide.
• Firearms were the primary method of suicide death for Service members and family members.