The Department of Defense released the 2023 DoD Annual Military Suicide Report (ARSM), which shows that suicides increased from 493 in 2022 to 523 in 2023.

Due to the impact of suicides in the military, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin established the Independent Suicide Prevention Review and Response Committee (SPRIRC) in 2022 to review all clinical and non-clinical suicide prevention and response programs.

The committee provided more than 100 recommendations that the secretary used to develop a suicide prevention campaign focused on five key areas:

• Creating a supportive environment

• Improving mental health care

• Addressing stigma and other barriers to care

• Update on suicide prevention training

• Promoting safe practices around lethal means.

Since the start of the campaign, 20 of SPRIRC’s recommendations have been completed, with additional funding expected in 2025.

The report shows that suicides in 2023 were 9% higher than in 2022 and points out that most of those who died were young enlisted men.

The report also noted that 146 family members of service members committed suicide in 2022, down from 165 in 2021.

Guns were again listed as a common method of suicide for both service members and their families.

DoD is committed to taking long-term actions to reduce suicide rates and continue to support programs focused on the well-being of service members and their families.

If your or someone you know is in crisis, the Veterans/Military Crisis Line is available 24/7 at 988 (press 1), text 838255 or chat online at MilitaryCrisisLine.net.