A metal plaque on the facade of the Department of Veterans Affairs building in Washington, D.C., features a quotation by Abraham Lincoln. (Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images)
The latest Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) suicide report shows that in 2023, 6,398 Veterans died by suicide, an average of 17 a day. And while there were slightly fewer deaths, the report reinforces the need for continued support and prevention efforts.
The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 by dialing 988 then pressing 1 or Text 838255.
The backstory:
The VA says the 2025 report provides the most current and comprehensive picture of suicide among Veterans and non-Veteran U.S. adults from 2001 through 2023.
In 2023, the VA says 6,398 Veterans died by suicide, 44 fewer deaths than in 2022 and according to the report, the 2023 total was lower than 14 of the previous 15 years, which the VA says reflects their suicide prevention efforts.
Dig deeper:
To continue its work on preventing veteran suicide, the VA is providing $112 million in grant funding to organizations that provide suicide prevention services to veterans across the country.
The VA says the grants are being funded through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, (SSG Fox SPGP) and are available to nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, federally recognized tribes and other community-based organizations that have a demonstrated capacity to serve Veterans.
The SSG Fox SPGP honors veteran Parker Gordon Fox, who joined the Army in 2014 and was a sniper instructor at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. The VA says Fox was known for a life of generosity and kindness to others in need. Fox died by suicide on July 21, 2020, at the age of 25.
What they're saying:
"These grants invest directly in communities that know Veterans best and are often the first to recognize when someone is struggling. They have been successful in connecting Veterans, service members, and their families — especially those not yet engaged with VA — to services that help reduce suicide risk and promote well-being," said VA Secretary Doug Collins in a release.
Why you should care:
The VA says in 2025, Fox grants supported more than 17,000 Veterans, service members and family members, including nearly 9,000 Veterans with an elevated risk for suicide. Additionally, the VA says more than 2,500 veterans enrolled in VA health care for the first time in 2025 as a result of their interaction with Fox grantees.
Since the launch of Fox grants in 2022, the VA has awarded $210 million to 111 organizations across 46 states, U.S. territories and tribal lands.
What you can do:
To learn more about organization eligibility and how to apply, visit the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program page on Grants.gov.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This story was reported from Orlando.