NYAPRS Note: This NYS Health Foundation issue brief presents how New York’s veteran suicide rate compares to the rest of the country, examines how veteran suicide rates are changing in New York over time, and explores how State policies might influence veteran suicide rates.
New NYSHealth Issue Brief:
Veteran Suicide in New York State
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States–it affects all demographic groups, and our nation’s veterans are particularly at risk. While making up 8% of the U.S. adult population, veterans accounted for 14% of all deaths by suicide among the adult population in 2017.
Similarly, New York State veterans die by suicide at a much higher rate than the overall State population. Particularly concerning is the increasing rate of suicide among New York’s youngest veterans, even as rates among older veterans have declined.
Although New York has the second-lowest rate of veteran suicide in the nation (as of 2017), we can and must do better. Governor Cuomo announced in his 2020 State of the State a commitment to focus on suicide prevention among veterans and other vulnerable groups, and NYSHealth plans to emphasize suicide prevention in its veterans’ health program in 2020.
This NYSHealth issue brief presents how New York’s veteran suicide rate compares to the rest of the country, examines how veteran suicide rates are changing in New York over time, and explores how State policies might influence veteran suicide rates.
New York State Health Foundation, 1385 Broadway, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10018