Falling veteran suicide rates remain far above average

Early data suggests suicide rates among ex-serving veterans has declined but remain far above the national average for men and women.

That’s according to the ninth annual report into suicide rates of serving and ex-service ADF members by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Veterans are at a much greater risk than serving personnel despite a general decline in the past decade.

Among ex-serving females, the suicide rate has declined from 23.4 deaths per 100,000 population per year in 2015-2017 to 8.3 in 2022-2024.

But the report highlights the suicide rate among ex-serving males which declined from 33.3 deaths in 2014-2016 to 25.5 in 2022-2024 but remains around three times higher than for female peers.

A further breakdown of the figures shows men who were able to chose to leave the ADF had suicide rates similar to the national average as male veterans who were separated involuntarily for medical reasons, and had suicide rates nearly three times as high.

Suicide remains the leading cause of death for ex-serving individuals aged under 30, particularly for those who served for a shorter period of time.

Institute spokesman Paul Pham said while the ongoing decline in suicide rates is encouraging, ex-serving veterans continue to experience a higher risk of suicide.

CHECK OUT VETERANS SALUTE LABOR RETREAT ON HEALTH PAYMENT LIMITS

“Behind every number is a person, and every life lost to suicide is a tragedy that deeply affects families, friends, colleagues and communities,” Mr Pham said in a statement.

“Monitoring the number, trends and rates of suicide is essential for understanding which groups are most affected and for supporting prevention efforts across the defence and veteran community.”

The latest data will directly inform the work of the newly created defence and veterans’ service commissioner, who is tasked with examining the response to the 135 recommendations of a royal commission into defence and veteran suicide.

Inaugural commissioner Penny McKay began her five-year appointment in June.

Ms McKay told an inquiry on Friday that while it’s still too early to determine where the flaws are in the system, there were clear concerns raised.

“People are very interested in the transition piece, where people are leaving the defence force and moving to civilian world, and how we can manage that well,” she said.

Ms McKay said working with coroners to understand risk factors and speaking with current and ex-serving members and their families will form the basis of her first report due in early February 2027.

The institute said the report released on Tuesday is subject to change once coronial processes are completed in coming years.

Lifeline 13 11 14

Open Arms 1800 011 046

beyondblue 1300 22 4636