Suicide Rate Among Active Service Members Up Over 40 Percent

(Undated) — The Department of Defense is reporting an alarming increase in the suicide rate among active service members. The annual report from the department says suicides increased more than 41 percent between 2015 and 2020. The same report says the rate increased almost 10 percent in 2020 alone. About 580 members of the military died by suicide last year. In a statement, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called the findings “troubling” and said the department needs to “redouble our efforts” to provide the mental health resources service members need.