Nisha Pandey

Many US Veterans With Suicidal Thoughts May Not Be Receiving Mental Health Treatment, Study Finds

A new study in the US has found that millions of military <span>veterans</span> continue to experience suicidal thoughts, yet many of them are not receiving the mental health treatment they need.

Researchers say the findings highlight the urgent need to improve access to mental health services and strengthen suicide prevention efforts, particularly for younger and female veterans.

The study, published in <em>JAMA Network Open</em>, analyzed data from 2,636 US military veterans who participated in the 2025-2026 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS), a survey conducted between December 2025 and January 2026. 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/us-government-backs-psychedelic-therapies-research-for-veterans-with-ptsd-and-depression-article-155094098" data-type="tilCustomLink">US Government Backs Psychedelic Therapies Research For Veterans With PTSD and Depression</a>

Researchers found that 13.4% of veterans reported having <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/american-pro-football-players-4-times-more-likely-to-die-from-diseases-like-als-dementia-parkinsons-study-article-155022889" data-type="tilCustomLink">suicidal thoughts</a> within the previous two weeks, while 14% experienced suicidal thoughts during the past year.

Compared with data collected in 2019-2020, the prevalence of recent suicidal thoughts increased from 9% to 13.4%, representing a 49% rise over five years. However, the prevalence of lifetime suicide planning (8%) and suicide attempts (4.9%) remained largely unchanged. 

Based on national population estimates, the researchers said:

<ul><li>2.3 to 2.4 million veterans experiencing recent suicidal thoughts</li><li>1.4 million veterans reporting lifetime suicide planning</li><li>Around 830,000 veterans reporting a lifetime suicide attempt. </li></ul>

<h2>Many Veterans Are Not Receiving Treatment</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/the-silent-impact-of-stress-on-your-brain-how-chronic-stress-affects-memory-focus-and-mental-health-article-155148606" data-type="tilCustomLink">The Silent Impact of Stress On Your Brain: How Chronic Stress Affects Memory, Focus, And Mental Health</a>

One of the study's most concerning findings was that a substantial number of veterans reporting suicidal thoughts were not receiving <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/impact-of-canadas-maid-delay-for-mental-illness-patients-say-they-feel-abandoned-hopeless-article-154952980" data-type="tilCustomLink">mental health care</a>.

Among veterans who experienced suicidal thoughts in the previous two weeks:

<ul><li>Only 37.9% were receiving any current mental health treatment.</li><li>Treatment rates differed sharply depending on where veterans received their healthcare.</li><li>Among veterans who primarily used the US Department of <span rel="noindex">Veterans Affairs</span> (VA) healthcare system, 53.6% were receiving treatment.</li><li>Among those relying mainly on non-VA healthcare, only 25.6% were receiving treatment. </li></ul>

Researchers also observed similar gaps in the use of psychotherapy and psychiatric medications.

The researchers also found that younger veterans and women veterans carried a disproportionately higher risk of suicidal thoughts, <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/men-account-for-nearly-3-out-of-4-suicides-in-india-are-we-ignoring-a-growing-mens-mental-health-crisis-article-154930642" data-type="tilCustomLink">suicide planning</a> and suicide attempts. 

The authors concluded, "These findings suggest that suicidal ideation has increased among US veterans over the past 5 years, whereas suicidal planning and attempts have not, underscoring the need to strengthen early intervention, treatment engagement, and targeted prevention efforts." 

They further added, "A substantial proportion of veterans reporting recent suicidal ideation are not currently engaged in mental health treatment." 

<h2>Access To <span rel="noindex">VA Care</span> </h2>

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The study showed that veterans who used the VA healthcare system as their primary source of care were more than twice as likely to receive mental health treatment compared with veterans receiving care outside the VA.

According to the researchers, this may reflect better access to mental health services within the VA system. However, the findings also indicate that significant treatment gaps remain even among VA users due to barriers like stigma, delayed help, limited availability of services, or other factors. 

The study comes as suicide continues to be a major public health issue among US veterans. According to the US Department of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/trump-administration-cuts-lgbtq-health-research-grants-what-it-means-article-151299094" data-type="tilCustomLink">Veterans Affairs</a>, more than 6,000 veterans die by suicide each year, and veterans continue to have higher suicide rates than the general US population. 

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A new study in the US has found that millions of military veterans continue to experience suicidal thoughts, yet many of them are not receiving the mental health treatment they need.Researchers say the findings highlight the urgent need to improve access to mental health services and strengthen suicide prevention efforts, particularly for younger and female veterans.The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from 2,636 US military veterans who participated in the 2025-2026 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS), a survey conducted between December 2025 and January 2026. Increase In Suicidal Thoughts Also read: US Government Backs Psychedelic Therapies Research For Veterans With PTSD and DepressionResearchers found that 13.4% of veterans reported having suicidal thoughts within the previous two weeks, while 14% experienced suicidal thoughts during the past year.Compared with data collected in 2019-2020, the prevalence of recent suicidal thoughts increased from 9% to 13.4%, representing a 49% rise over five years. However, the prevalence of lifetime suicide planning (8%) and suicide attempts (4.9%) remained largely unchanged. Based on national population estimates, the researchers said:2.3 to 2.4 million veterans experiencing recent suicidal thoughts1.4 million veterans reporting lifetime suicide planningAround 830,000 veterans reporting a lifetime suicide attempt. Many Veterans Are Not Receiving TreatmentAlso read: The Silent Impact of Stress On Your Brain: How Chronic Stress Affects Memory, Focus, And Mental HealthOne of the study's most concerning findings was that a substantial number of veterans reporting suicidal thoughts were not receiving mental health care.Among veterans who experienced suicidal thoughts in the previous two weeks:Only 37.9% were receiving any current mental health treatment.Treatment rates differed sharply depending on where veterans received their healthcare.Among veterans who primarily used the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system, 53.6% were receiving treatment.Among those relying mainly on non-VA healthcare, only 25.6% were receiving treatment. Researchers also observed similar gaps in the use of psychotherapy and psychiatric medications.The researchers also found that younger veterans and women veterans carried a disproportionately higher risk of suicidal thoughts, suicide planning and suicide attempts. The authors concluded, "These findings suggest that suicidal ideation has increased among US veterans over the past 5 years, whereas suicidal planning and attempts have not, underscoring the need to strengthen early intervention, treatment engagement, and targeted prevention efforts." They further added, "A substantial proportion of veterans reporting recent suicidal ideation are not currently engaged in mental health treatment." Access To VA Care       The study showed that veterans who used the VA healthcare system as their primary source of care were more than twice as likely to receive mental health treatment compared with veterans receiving care outside the VA.According to the researchers, this may reflect better access to mental health services within the VA system. However, the findings also indicate that significant treatment gaps remain even among VA users due to barriers like stigma, delayed help, limited availability of services, or other factors. The study comes as suicide continues to be a major public health issue among US veterans. According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, more than 6,000 veterans die by suicide each year, and veterans continue to have higher suicide rates than the general US population. 

many us veterans with suicidal thoughts may not be receiving mental health treatment, study finds

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Many US Veterans With Suicidal Thoughts May Not Be Receiving Mental Health Treatment, Study Finds

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