A record number of US soldiers took their own lives in 2021. The annual tally reached 176, the highest level seen since 1938 within active army units. The finding aligns with a broader pattern that has troubled researchers and clinicians for years.
Analysts note that the suicide rate began to rise around 2015. Experts highlight a growing risk of post-traumatic stress disorder among service members as a contributing factor to rising distress and self-harm.
Clinical psychologist and founder of Flourish Mental Wellness in Scottsdale, Dr. Danielle McGraw, explains that high stress can trigger hopelessness and thoughts of harming oneself when coping resources feel insufficient.
Feelings of shame and stigma often accompany military life, complicating willingness to seek help and potentially pushing some individuals toward self-harm as a desperate escape.
Former Army engineer and veteran John Nelson recalls the intense pressures soldiers face. He remembers platoon members having to contend with the aftermath of deadly bomb blasts, a daily experience that leaves lingering impressions long after the threats have passed. Such exposure can shift how veterans view safety, purpose, and daily life upon returning home.
Psychiatrist Tracey Lutz describes a pattern she has seen among veterans who feel their service was used for political calculations rather than for a mission they could stand behind. This sense of disconnection can erode a person’s sense of purpose and belonging, increasing risk factors for distress.
The 2021 Blue Star Families Military Lifestyles survey found that eight in ten active-duty personnel had separated from their families within the prior 18 months. Additionally, nearly one third reported not leaving the house for six months or more, underscoring the social isolation that can accompany military life during periods of strain.
Past data show that more than 3,400 US soldiers have taken their lives since early 2015, a figure that exceeds the death toll from two decades of military operations in Afghanistan. Since early 2022, the Army has recorded additional suicides, reflecting ongoing concerns about mental health care and first-time access to support services in the armed forces.
In response to these trends, legislative efforts have emerged to address prevention and early intervention. A measure introduced in the Senate urges the Pentagon to monitor suicide attempts by systematically tracking mental health indicators across soldiers and officers and analyzing related personnel data.
Senator Angus King, the measure’s sponsor, emphasizes the need for leadership to focus resources on groups and positions with higher reported rates of distress, aiming to prevent crises before they arise and to ensure timely access to care when it is needed.
Instances of crisis have also touched naval service life. On the George Washington aircraft carrier, crews have faced ongoing strain during repair work since 2017. In 2022, three crew members died by suicide, and the following year saw seven deaths among ship personnel, including four suicides. Command discussions suggest the demanding routine and long deployments on board are contributing factors that strain sailors’ mental health and resilience. [citation: DoD health data and service reports]n