New York State, home to more than 580,000 military veterans, has consistently reported one of the lowest veteran suicide rates in the United States.[1] However, despite extensive prevention efforts, suicide continues to be a challenge among veterans in New York State.
Recently released data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs show that suicide rates among veterans have not improved in the past decade.
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- In 2022, New York veterans continued to die by suicide at nearly twice the rate of the general population. Suicide rates among both groups also increased slightly between 2021 and 2022, with the veteran suicide rate increasing by 2.6% and the suicide rate among the general population increasing by 5.8%.
- Suicide rates increased across all age groups compared to 2017. Veterans under age 55 experience the highest suicide rates and have seen continuous increases in the 11-year period. New York veterans ages 55 and older had higher suicide rates in 2022, following a period of decrease between 2012 and 2017.
- Firearms remain the most lethal method for suicide and continue to be the primary modality used by veterans who die by suicide. In 2022, nearly 56% of veteran suicides in New York State involved a firearm, compared to approximately 50% in 2021. The share of New York veteran suicides involving a firearm increased 12.4% between 2021 and 2022, on the heels of a 13.4% decrease between 2020 and 2021.
Comparisons Between National and New York State Veteran and Civilian Suicide Rates
- In 2022, veteran suicide rates remained nearly twice as high as those among the general population both nationally and in New York. Compared to 2021, both the U.S. and New York saw small increases in veteran suicide rates (2.4% and 2.6%, respectively). The increase in civilian suicide rates in New York (5.8%) between 2021 and 2022 was more than twice as high as the increase among civilians nationally (2.2%) and among New York’s veteran population (2.6%).
- Firearm-related suicides among veterans rose both in New York and nationally, with a more pronounced rise in New York. Nationally, 73.5% of veteran suicides in 2022 involved a firearm compared to 72.2% in 2021—a 1.3% increase. In contrast, New York veterans experienced a greater increase, with firearm related suicides rising from 49.6% in 2021 to 55.8% in 2022, marking a 12.4% increase.