Suicide in the military

Suicide in the military is the act of ending one's life during or after a career in the armed forces. While suicide rates in military organizations vary internationally, official statistics in several countries show a consistently higher risk in certain subgroups.

In the United Kingdom, young serving personnel are markedly more likely than older personnel and same-age civilians to end their lives. The risk among former military personnel is higher than among either serving personnel or the general population, according to research in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the United States. The risk is particularly marked among veterans who joined up at a young age.

Contrary to popular belief, deployment to a war zone has not been associated with an increased risk of suicide overall, according to research in Canada, Denmark, the UK, and the US. Participating in, or witnessing killing and wounding, however, can increase the risk. A study of the US army found that the career stage carrying the greatest suicide risk was not deployment, but initial military training, as a time of disorientation and stress.

Individuals most at risk of suicide during or after a military career include those who had a troubled childhood; are of low rank; have close-combat roles in war; and/or leave service soon after joining. Certain other known risk factors for suicide are common in military life, including depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol misuse, bullying and sexual harassment. Variations in the suicide rate in military populations may also signify changes in the prevalence of related mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and histories of self-harm.

A 2021 report from the Costs of War Project estimated that over 4 times as many active duty personnel and veterans of post-9/11 wars died by suicide than service members killed in post-9/11 war operations.

Official data from the Israeli army also shows that suicides among soldiers have increased significantly since the start of the Gaza War on October 7, 2023. The Haaretz newspaper announced that about 60 soldiers have lost their lives by suicide since that date.

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