A sobering new analysis of federal data reminds us that for thousands of American heroes, the deadliest battle doesn’t end on the battlefield. It follows them home, often ending in a silent, heartbreaking crisis.
According to a report recently released by Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun violence prevention advocacy group that analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), veterans in the United States continue to die by suicide at much higher rates than the general population. Tragically, firearms are involved in the vast majority of those deaths.
The report reveals that on average, approximately 18 veterans die by suicide each day, and about 13 of those deaths involve firearms.
The Stark Reality of the Numbers
The data highlights an escalating and deeply concerning trend regarding veteran suicide methods and demographics:
The Dominance of Firearms: By 2023, firearms were used in about three-quarters of veteran suicides, up from about two-thirds in 2001. While veterans make up a relatively small share of the total U.S. population, they account for nearly one in five firearm suicide deaths nationwide.
A Growing Disparity: Between 2001 and 2023, the veteran firearm suicide rate surged by about 67%, compared with a 35% increase among nonveteran adults.
Shifting Demographics: Historically, older veterans faced the highest risk. However, the analysis found that veterans ages 18 to 34 now experience the highest suicide rate. Furthermore, while men account for the absolute majority of these deaths, firearm suicide rates among female veterans (who make up about 11% of the veteran population) have risen more rapidly in recent years.
Access and Vulnerability: The report points out that roughly half of all veterans report owning firearms, compared to about 20% of nonveteran adults. Coupled with high-stakes challenges like PTSD, chronic pain, substance use, financial strain, and the harrowing transition from military to civilian life, immediate access to a firearm significantly increases the lethality of a crisis. As Chris Marvin, a combat-wounded veteran and lead at Everytown noted, easy access remains a primary driver of these high mortality rates.
When Prevention Fails, Once A Soldier Steps In
At Once A Soldier, these statistics aren’t just numbers on a page—they represent the agonizing phone calls we answer every single week.
Across America, there are over 300 charities and billions of dollars dedicated to suicide prevention. Hotlines, VA programs, and mental health initiatives do vital work to stop the crisis before it happens. But what happens when those systems fail? What happens to the families left standing in the rubble of the aftermath?
Behind every single one of those 18 daily veteran deaths is a family whose world has just fractured. Overnight, a spouse becomes a grieving widow or widower, children lose a parent, and mothers are left to pick up the pieces. Because most VA benefits paid directly to a veteran end upon their death, these families—many already living paycheck to paycheck—are instantly plunged into severe emotional and financial chaos.
They are suddenly forced to navigate the things no one can ever prepare for: immediate time-of-need chaos, funeral practices, and agonizing expenses. Many families who reach out to us cannot even afford a basic cremation for their hero.
That is why Once A Soldier exists. We are the nation’s dedicated time-of-need charity focused entirely on postvention. When prevention fails, we step into the gap to provide immediate financial aid (up to $1,000 per family for final expenses), free time-of-need counseling, and a compassionate voice on the other end of the line to ensure the surviving family isn’t left to grieve alone in the dark.
How You Can Help
The Everytown report proves that the veteran suicide epidemic is not slowing down. As the numbers grow, so does the number of families left in desperate need of support.
We cannot change the statistics of yesterday, but together, we can change the future for the families of the fallen. By supporting Once A Soldier, you ensure that when a veteran’s battle ends, their family’s survival doesn’t have to be fought alone.
Source: This post utilizes data and reporting originally published by Yahoo News via the Associated Press. The full investigative piece can be reviewed here.
To learn more about the challenges veterans face during their transition to civilian life and how community networks support them, you can watch Once a Soldier, always a Soldier! | U.S. Army Soldier for Life. This video highlights official programs that connect veterans and their families with critical health and wellness resources.