Behavioral Health

Suicidal Behavior in the Military

Last Updated: March 17, 2026
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For most years since 2010, the suicide rate among Active Component Soldiers has been higher than the rate in the U.S. population after adjusting for age and sex differences.

Analysis of the 148 Suicide Case Analyses (SCAs) identified the following risk factors, which are also substantiated in the literature:

  • Alcohol misuse and abuse: The most documented substance for abuse or dependence in the military is alcohol (Toussaint, et al 2021).  Alcohol misuse and abuse are long-standing and well-documented problems within the U.S. military (Modern 2013), and they are known risk factors for suicide and suicidal behavior (Pompili 2010). Male Soldiers have the highest rates of medical encounters for substance abuse and dependence  (Toussaint, et al 2021).
  • Male sex: In addition to having the highest rates of medical encounters for substance abuse and dependence, male Soldiers are at higher risk of suicide than female Soldiers (Toussaint, et al 2021).
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): ACEs have been found to influence one's own mental health and relationship satisfaction in adulthood (Khalifian, et al 2022). ACEs are associated with other known risk factors for suicide among adults (Alvanzo 2020), including diagnosed depression, heavy drinking, binge drinking, and substance abuse and dependence (Lee and Chen 2017). People with a history of military service have been found to have a higher prevalence of ACEs than their counterparts who have not served (Blosnich, et al 2014)  (Katon, et al 2015).
  • Younger age: Younger Service members (17-24 years old) are at increased risk of suicide. Additionally, younger Service members had the highest rates of encounters for substance abuse and dependence.
  • Relationship problems: Relationship problems (i.e., stressors within families, intimate partners, and/or peers), work stress, and physical health problems have been commonly documented among those who died by suicide (Stanley, et al 2023).
  • Occupational Factors: Military nonjudicial punishment (i.e. Article 15) and/or administrative separation have been observed among Soldiers who died by suicide (Stanley, et al 2023​).
  • Legal Issues: A history of civil legal problems was common among Soldiers who died by or attempted suicide (Stanley, et al​ 2023).

References:
  1. Alvanzo A, Storr C, Reboussin B, Green KM, Mojtabai R, La Flair LN, Cullen BA, Susukida R, Seamans M, Crum RM. (2020). Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Transition in Stages of Alcohol Involvement among US Adults: Progression and Regression. Child Abuse Negl. 2020 Sep: 107:104624. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104624. Epub 2020 Jul 16.External Link​
  2. Blosnich JR, Ditcher ME, Cerulli C, Batten SV, Bossarte RM. (2014). Disparities in adverse childhood experiences among individuals with a history of military service. JAMA Psychiatry, 2014 Sep: 71(9): 1041-1048. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.724.External Link​
  3. Katon JG, Lehavot K, Simpson TL, Williams EC, Barnett SB, Grossbard JR, Schure MB, Gray KE, Reiber GE. (2015). Adverse childhood experiences, military service, and adult health. Am J Prev Med. 2015 Oct: 49(4): 573-582. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2015.03.020. Epub 2015 Jun 16.External Link​
  4. Khalifian CE, Bosch J, Knopp K, Delay C, Sohn MJ,  Morland LA. (2022). Adverse childhood experiences, mental health, and relationship satisfaction in military couples. J Fam Psychol, 2022 Jun: 36(4), 630-635. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000952. Epub 2022 Jan 27.External Link​
  5. Lee RD, Chen J. Adverse childhood experiences, mental health, and excessive alcohol use: Examination of race/ethnicity and sex differences. (2017). Child Abuse Negl. 2017 Jul: 69:40-48. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.04.004. Epub 2017 Apr 28. PMID: 28448813; PMCID: PMC5896758.External Link​
  6. Morden E, Oster M, O'Brien CP. (2013). Substance use disorders in the U.S. Armed Forces.​ Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.17226/13441.​External Link​
  7. Pompili M. Exploring the phenomenology of suicide. Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2010 Jun; 40(3):234-44. doi: 10.1521/suli.2010.40.3.234. PMID: 20560745.​External Link​
  8. Stanley J, Toussaint M, Kaplansky G, Pfau E. (2023). Defense Centers for Public Health – Aberdeen (DCPH-A).  Public Health Report No. S.00941001.1-20, Surveillance of Suicidal Behavior: U.S. Army Active and Reserve Component Soldiers, 2019 and 2020. Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.   https://ph.health.mil/periodicals​/cphe-BSHOP-2020-ssbp.pdf   
  9. Toussaint M, Kc U, Werwath T, Watkins EY. (2021). U.S. Army Public Health Center (APHC). Public Health Report No. S.0079048.3-16, Surveillance of Substance Abuse and Dependence: U.S. Army Soldiers, January 2016-December 2019. Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. https://ph.health.mil/periodicals​/cphe-BSHOP-substance-surveillance-2016-2019-report.pdf 

​​​Suicidal behavior among Service members continues to be a threat to the medical readiness of U.S. Forces and is a top concern for the military that is routinely studied to identify risk and protective factors to inform prevention.

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WHAT CAN YOU DO? ​

Safely store firearms.​​​​


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Watch for signs of alcohol and substance misuse.​

​Get help.​​