Tragic new data has revealed the deep struggle Australian veterans continue to face, with suicide remaining the leading cause of death for younger ex-service people.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s seventh annual report on the issue, released this morning, found that for ex-serving males and females aged under 30, suicide accounted for 42 per cent and 44 per cent of deaths, respectively, between 1997 and 2022.
There were 1763 deaths by suicide among veterans overall between 1997 and 2022.
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The majority (1464) occurred among ex-serving members, followed by permanent members (174) and reserves (125).
According to preliminary data for 2020–2022, the suicide rates (deaths per 100,000 population per year) for the most recent three-year period were 27.6 for ex-serving males, 18.5 for permanent males, 13.4 for reserve males and 12.6 for ex-serving females.
The suicide rate for ex-serving males has tended to be slightly lower each three-year period since 2014–2016, including 2020–2022.
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However, AIHW warned it is difficult to identify a trend as preliminary data may be revised upward as death records are finalised for the most recent years.
Consistent with previous years, the suicide rate for ex-serving males who left the ADF voluntarily was similar to Australian males overall.
The suicide rate for ex-serving males who separate involuntarily for medical reasons is almost three times the rate of those who separate voluntarily (62.7 compared with 22 per 100,000 population per year).
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For ex-serving females, there was no statistically significant difference between those who separated involuntarily for medical reasons and those who separated voluntarily.
“Every life lost to suicide is a deep tragedy and the impact on their loved ones is profound and far-reaching, including on Australia’s defence and veteran community,’ AIHW spokesperson Paul Pham said.
“This ongoing body of work aims to inform improvements in suicide awareness and prevention for ADF personnel and their families.”
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide released its final report on 9 September 9, after a three-year inquiry.
The final report contains 122 recommendations and over 3000 pages of evidence, commentary and findings across seven volumes.
“The AIHW looks forward to playing its part in the government’s response to the Royal Commission,” Pham said.
Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.
If you are a current or former ADF member, or a relative, and need counselling or support, you can contact the Defence All-Hours Support Line on 1800 628 036 or Open Arms on 1800 011 046.
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