Suicide Continues to Be the Leading Cause of Death Among Australian Defence Force Veterans
AIHW's latest report reveals that suicide remains the primary cause of death among Australian Defence Force veterans, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions and support. Recent data from 2021-2023 highlights ongoing risks and promising declines in certain groups.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has released its eighth annual report on suicide rates among Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans, highlighting concerning trends from 2021 to 2023. Over the period from 1997 to 2023, a total of 1,840 current and former ADF members have died by suicide, including 1,532 ex-serving personnel and 308 reservists or those on permanent duty. Recent data suggests that 73 deaths occurred in 2023, marking the highest number in recent years.
Suicide profoundly impacts families, communities, and the broader veteran population, with ripple effects that extend throughout Australia's defense community. The AIHW emphasizes the importance of ongoing monitoring to improve awareness, prevention, and intervention strategies.
During 2021–2023, the suicide rate was notably high among ex-serving males, at 26.4 deaths per 100,000 annually. For other groups, the rates included 16.0 for permanent males, 15.2 for reserve males, and 10.0 for ex-serving females. While there has been a general decline in suicide rates among ex-serving males and females since the mid-2010s, these preliminary figures are subject to change following final investigations.
Alarmingly, suicide remains the leading cause of death among young Australian males under 30, constituting 42% of male deaths and 44% among ex-serving males in this age group. Similarly, for females under 30, suicide accounts for 22% of deaths among ex-serving and Australian females.
In addition to mortality data, the AIHW also published two related reports examining health service usage by ex-serving ADF members. The studies focused on services accessed from July 2010 to June 2020, including hospitalizations, mental health treatments, emergency visits, and medication prescriptions. Findings reveal that 86% of those who died by suicide had used health services in the year prior, with one-third last receiving mental health care.
This ongoing analysis assists researchers and policymakers in identifying risk factors and intervention opportunities. The AIHW aims to support the implementation of recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defense and Veteran Suicide, which was finalized a year ago.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-suicide-death-adf-veterans.html
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