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April 30, 2018
Military Suicide Prevention and Response
Background
Comparison to the General Population
When a service member dies by suicide, those close to the
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
member often experience shock, anger, guilt, and sorrow.
(CDC), the suicide rate for the U.S. general population was
As such, a service member suicide may adversely impact
13.92 per 100,000 in 2016: markedly lower than the 2015
the well-being of family and friends, as well as the morale
AC rate of 20.2 per 100,000. However, comparisons
and readiness of that member’s unit. Response to suicidal
between military and civilian populations can be misleading
thoughts (ideation), attempts, and deaths often involve
because of differences in suicide reporting methods used by
coordinated efforts among command and unit leadership,
CDC and DOD. Also, these populations greatly differ in
medical professionals, counselors, and others across the
terms of age and sex—the military services are
military community.
disproportionately comprised of younger individuals and
Under the authority given to Congress in Article 1, Section
more males—sub-populations at higher risk for suicide.
8 of the U.S. Constitution to raise and support armies,
In 2015, DOD found that after adjusting for age and sex,
provide and maintain a navy, and provide for organizing
the suicide rates for Active and Reserve members were
disciplining and regulating them, it may be important for
consistent with what would be expected if the military had
Congress to understand the scope of this issue, the efforts
the same age and sex composition as the U.S. general
previously taken to address it, and considerations for
population. However, DOD reported that the rate of suicide
confronting the issue in the future.
for the National Guard was higher than expected relative to
Prevalence Rates
the general population.
Since the early 2000s, suicide rates among service members
Suicide Risk Factors
have substantially increased, hitting their highest rate in
While military service members are already a high-risk
2012 (22.7 per 100,000) (See Figure 1). The increase in
population for suicide due to the demographic composition
overall military suicide rates has largely been driven by
(e.g., young and male), the exposure to unique demands of
increases in the Army where the rate rose from 9 per
military service are also associated with greater risk factors
100,000 in 2001 to 29.7 in 2012.
for this population.
Figure 1. DOD Suicide Rates (2001-2015)
Mental Health Conditions and Disorders. Exposure to
combat and high-stress environments is associated with
higher rates of mental health diagnoses, such as depression,
anxiety disorders, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD). Rates of these conditions and disorders among
military service members rose steadily from 2005-2015,
according to the DOD Deployment Health Clinical Center.
Substance Abuse and Associated Disorder. Evidence
indicates elevated risk of death by suicide among people
with substance-use disorders, including heavy alcohol use.
While illicit drug use is not prevalent in the military,
approximately 20% of service members have reported
heavy alcohol use. Among service members, drug and
alcohol overdoses are the most common methods for
Source: DoDSER data 2008-2015 and 2015 RAND report, The War
suicide attempts.
Within: Preventing Suicide in the U.S. Military.
Notes: Due to changes to DOD data collection methods in 2012,
Head Trauma/Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Research
rates from 2012-2015 include only service members in the Active
shows increased suicide ideation, attempt, and death rates
Component (AC). Rates from 2001-2011 include service members of
among people who have experienced head trauma.
the AC and service members of the Reserve Component (RC) in an
Deployed military members may sustain concussive injuries
active status at the time of death.
as a result of explosive blasts. According to the Defense
and Veterans Brain Injury Center, 17,707 service members
In calendar year (CY) 2015, DOD reported 479 service
were diagnosed with TBI in 2017; 32,838 were diagnosed
member suicides. There were 266 suicides in the Active
in 2011.
Component (rate of 20.2 per 100,000), 90 in the Reserves
Access to Firearms: Studies have shown that access to
(rate of 24.7 per 100,000) and 123 in the National Guard
firearms is associated with increased risk of death by
(rate of 27.1 per 100,000).
suicide. Service members generally have more exposure to
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link to page 2 Military Suicide Prevention and Response
firearms than the civilian population and are more likely to
Table 1. Selected Legislation: FY2011-FY2018
own a personal firearm. Firearms are the most common
method of suicide deaths among military populations.
Authority
Action
Other Risk Factors. Prior suicide attempts, history of
FY2011 NDAA Required DOD to establish a task force to
physical or sexual abuse, experiencing hopelessness,
(P.L. 110-417)
examine suicide prevention and develop a
tendencies toward aggressive and impulsive behavior,
comprehensive suicide prevention policy.
experiencing negative life events, lack of problem-solving
FY2012 NDAA Required DOD to enhance its suicide
skills, and exposure to suicides of others may all contribute
(P.L. 112-81)
prevention program in cooperation with other
to military suicide risk.
government stakeholders and to include
Defense Suicide Prevention Office
suicide prevention information in pre-
separation counseling.
The Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO) was
established in 2011 following recommendations of a
FY2013 NDAA Established a DOD oversight position for
congressionally-mandated task force. DSPO’s mission is to
(P.L. 112-239)
suicide prevention and resilience programs
provide “advocacy, program oversight, and policy for
and expanded programs to RC members and
Department of Defense suicide prevention, intervention and
their families.
postvention efforts to reduce suicidal behaviors in service
Amended Section 1062 of the FY2011 NDAA
members, civilians and their families.” The office also
to allow a member's health professional or
manages a 24-hour Military Crisis Line, produces the
commanding officer to inquire if the member
annual DOD Suicide Event Report (DoDSER), and
owns or plans to acquire any weapons if
compiles quarterly DOD military suicide reports.
reasonable belief exists that the member is at
high risk for suicide or harm to others.
DOD Suicide Event Report (DoDSER)
The DoDSER tracks suicide attempts and deaths, manner of
FY2014 NDAA Included suicide prevention efforts within
death, and answers the following questions:
(P.L. 113-66)
DOD’s community partnerships pilot
program.
ï‚· What is the rate of suicide among service
members by demographic?
FY2015 NDAA Required DOD to prescribe standards for
ï‚·
(P.L. 113-291)
data collection and reporting related to

How common were various known or
suicides and suicide attempts and directed
suspected determinants of suicide among
DOD to conduct a review of suicide
those who engaged in suicide-related behavior
prevention programs for Special Operations
during the past year (e.g., behavioral health
Forces (SOF).
history, stressors, etc.)?
Funding
FY2016 NDAA Authorized DOD to develop a policy to
(P.L. 114-92)
coordinate its efforts with non-governmental
Congress funds DOD suicide prevention programs and
suicide prevention groups and expanded
research through its annual defense appropriation. The
FY2019 President’s
outreach to separating service members.
Budget Request includes $9.3 million
to fund DSPO, up from $5.4 million in FY2018. Suicide
Source: CRS consolidation of relevant legislation.
prevention research is primarily funded through the
Defense Health Program and, in the past, has received
Considerations for Congress
additional funds through the Congressionally Directed
Oversight questions for Congress with regard to military
Medical Research Program (CDMRP). The military
suicide and resiliency may include:
services, components, and activities, also fund suicide
ï‚· How can research be better disseminated and brought
prevention and resiliency activities as part of family and
into practice?
community support programs, through their Operation and
Maintenance budget (e.g., the Army’s Ready and Resilient
ï‚· On what aspects of the issue should future
Campaign or the Special Operations Command
congressionally-funded research efforts focus?
Preservation of the Force and Family initiative).
ï‚· What gaps, if any, remain in DOD, service-level, or
Legislative Actions
interagency suicide prevention programs?
Congress has taken various actions to enhance and expand
ï‚· Are high-risk military members and communities being
DOD suicide prevention policies and program requirements
identified and do they have access to appropriate and/or
in response to the increase in military suicides over the past
tailored services?
decade (see Table 1). These actions have included

strengthening DOD oversight and increasing data
Note: Christopher Ryan, former CRS Fellow, contributed
collection, reporting, and analysis. Other legislation has
to the development of this In Focus.
sought to improve outreach, awareness, and resiliency,
particularly among certain military communities deemed to
Kristy N. Kamarck, Analyst in Military Manpower
be at high risk for suicide.
Eva G. McKinsey, Research Associate
IF10876
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Military Suicide Prevention and Response


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