National Suicide Prevention Month: Supporting Veterans, Saving Lives, and Knowing Where to Turn
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about suicide prevention, encouraging conversations about mental health, and connecting people in crisis with resources that can help.
For the Veteran community, this observance carries particular importance. Military service can create experiences and challenges that continue long after a Veteran leaves active duty. Combat exposure, service-connected injuries, chronic pain, post-traumatic stress, difficulty transitioning to civilian life, financial challenges, housing instability, and isolation can all affect a Veteran’s well-being.
National Suicide Prevention Month is an opportunity to remind Veterans and their families of one critical message: support is available, and asking for help can save a life.
Veteran Suicide Remains a Serious National Concern
The most recent data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs demonstrates why Veteran suicide prevention must remain a national priority. According to the VA’s 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, which contains suicide mortality data through 2023, 6,398 Veterans died by suicide in 2023. That was 44 fewer deaths than in 2022 and represented an average of approximately 17.5 Veteran suicide deaths each day.
The report shows encouraging signs, but significant work remains. The overall Veteran suicide rate increased from 34.7 per 100,000 in 2022 to 35.2 per 100,000 in 2023. Suicide was also the second-leading cause of death among Veterans younger than 45. One statistic is particularly important when considering how communities can reach Veterans who may need help: 61% of Veterans who died by suicide in 2023 had not received VA health care during the previous year.
That means Veteran suicide prevention cannot happen exclusively inside VA medical facilities. Families, friends, employers, Veteran service organizations, community groups, health care providers, and fellow Veterans can all play a role in recognizing when someone may be struggling and connecting them with support.
Recognizing the Warning Signs of a Veteran in Crisis
A person experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis may not directly ask for help. Changes in behavior, mood, communication, or daily routines can sometimes indicate that additional support is needed.
The VA identifies several behaviors that may be warning signs, including:
- Expressing hopelessness or feeling there is no way out
- Saying or suggesting there is no reason to live.
- Withdrawing from family, friends, or usual activities
- Increased anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness, or significant mood changes
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Increased anger or rage
- Engaging in dangerous behavior without considering the consequences
Recognizing these signs does not mean someone has to diagnose the problem. It means recognizing when it may be time to start a conversation or connect that person with professional support.
VA S.A.V.E. Training: Learning How to Help a Veteran
You do not have to be a mental health professional to make a difference.
The VA offers S.A.V.E. Training, which provides practical guidance for anyone who encounters a Veteran who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis.
S.A.V.E. stands for:
S — Signs: Know the signs that may indicate a Veteran is thinking about suicide.
A — Ask: Ask directly whether the Veteran is thinking about suicide.
V — Validate: Listen and acknowledge what the Veteran is experiencing.
E — Encourage and Expedite: Encourage treatment and help connect the Veteran with appropriate support as quickly as possible.
The VA provides additional information and training on these suicide prevention steps through its VA Suicide Prevention resources. Sometimes simply being willing to ask a difficult question, listen without judgment, and stay present while connecting someone with help can make an enormous difference.
Veterans Crisis Line: Help Is Available 24/7
Veterans experiencing a crisis do not have to face it alone. The Veterans Crisis Line provides confidential crisis support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in VA health care or receiving VA benefits to use the service.
Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and people concerned about a Veteran can connect by:
- Calling 988 and pressing 1
- Texting 838255
- Or connecting through the Veterans Crisis Line’s confidential online chat.
Visit the Veterans Crisis Line for additional information and support options. If there is an immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Creating a Safer Environment During a Crisis
Suicide prevention also includes creating time and distance between someone experiencing a crisis and potentially lethal means. The VA provides resources addressing lethal means safety, including information about securely storing firearms and medications. These strategies are designed to help create a safer environment during periods of heightened risk.
Veterans and their families can learn more through the VA’s Lethal Means Safety resources. The goal is not judgment. It is to create additional time and space during a crisis, so a temporary moment does not become an irreversible decision.
Support Goes Beyond Mental Health Treatment
Veteran suicide prevention also means addressing the circumstances that can contribute to emotional distress. Employment challenges, financial problems, housing instability, relationship difficulties, chronic pain, physical health conditions, and difficulty adjusting to civilian life can affect a Veteran’s overall well-being.
The VA’s suicide prevention strategy therefore extends beyond traditional mental health care. The VA emphasizes strengthening protective factors such as social support, employment, and housing while connecting Veterans with resources that address the challenges they may be facing.
Veterans can explore additional mental health, suicide prevention, and support programs through the VA Mental Health Suicide Prevention portal.
Check on the Veterans in Your Life
National Suicide Prevention Month reminds us that suicide prevention is not limited to September. One of the simplest things anyone can do is stay connected.
- Call the Veteran you haven’t heard from recently.
- Send the text you’ve been meaning to send.
- Invite someone to coffee, lunch, a workout, or an event.
- Pay attention when someone’s behavior changes.
And when something doesn’t seem right, don’t be afraid to ask how they are doing — and listen to the answer. For Veterans, the bonds created through military service can be powerful. Continuing those connections after service can be equally important.
No Veteran Should Have to Face a Crisis Alone
Behind every statistic is a Veteran, a family, a group of friends, and a community. Although the latest VA data shows a decrease in the total number of Veteran suicide deaths in 2023, thousands of Veterans continue to be lost to suicide each year. Suicide prevention requires sustained awareness, stronger connections, accessible resources, and a willingness to reach out when someone may be struggling.
During National Suicide Prevention Month, take time to learn the warning signs, share Veteran mental health resources, check on the Veterans in your life, and make sure they know where they can turn when they need help.
- A conversation can matter.
- A phone call can matter.
- Checking on someone can matter.
- And connecting a Veteran with the right support at the right time can save a life.
Veteran Suicide Prevention Resources
- Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, then press 1, or text 838255
Veterans Crisis Line
- VA Suicide Prevention: Resources, education, prevention strategies, and Veteran suicide data
VA Suicide Prevention Resources
- VA S.A.V.E. Training: Learn how to recognize signs and support a Veteran experiencing a crisis
VA S.A.V.E. Suicide Prevention Information
- VA Lethal Means Safety: Resources for creating a safer environment during periods of crisis
VA Lethal Means Safety Resources
