Even after spending tens of millions of dollars on suicide research and prevention programs, our Pentagon concedes it still does not know the reasons our military suicide rate has increased so rapidly. In 2019, the rate of suicide among active-duty troops was 25.9 per 100,000 troops, and this rate has showed a steady increase from 2014, when it was about 18.5 per 100,000 service members. The active-duty Army has seen a 30% increase in 2020 in deaths by suicide, from 88 deaths by suicide in 2019 to 114 – outpacing the 22 American service members who were killed in combat. Statistics show a pattern of young white males, both in the military and in civilian life, who use a gun to kill themselves. Studies show troops with multiple concussions and those with post-traumatic stress disorder are also more prone to suicidal thoughts and actions.

Members of the armed Forces who are behavioral health patients experiencing distress, emotional dysregulation, or suicidal ideation are often separated from direct clinical support when they need it. Advocates say the Virtual Hope Box (VHB) could help. VHB is a smartphone application designed for use by patients and their behavioral health providers as an accessory to treatment. The VHB contains simple tools to help patients with coping, relaxation, distraction and positive thinking. Users of the Virtual Hope Box application have reported significantly greater ability in coping with unpleasant emotions and thoughts.

Proposed Legislation: H.R.8125 - Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act (116th Congress)
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. David Joyce (OH)