If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line — available 24/7. You can also text 838255 or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net.
Every September, the country observes National Suicide Prevention Month. And every September, the veteran community is reminded of a number that doesn’t get easier to sit with: veterans die by suicide at a rate more than twice that of non-veteran adults.
That’s not a statistic to scroll past. That’s someone’s son. Someone’s spouse. Someone’s battle buddy. Someone who signed up to serve, came home, and couldn’t find a way through what came next.
At Boots to Health Foundation, we work with veterans every day who are navigating the hardest parts of life after service. We see the isolation. We see what happens when structure disappears overnight and purpose becomes unclear. And we see what happens when veterans finally find a foothold — a program, a community, a reason to show up tomorrow.
This September, we want to talk about it directly: the risk, the warning signs, what actually helps, and how every person reading this can make a difference for the veterans in their life.
Why Veterans Are at Greater Risk
Veteran suicide is not a single-cause crisis. It’s the result of overlapping pressures that civilian support systems weren’t built to handle.
Loss of identity. Military service isn’t just a job — it’s a complete identity. Rank, unit, mission, brotherhood. When that ends — especially suddenly through injury or medical separation — veterans can feel as though they’ve lost themselves along with the uniform.
Loss of structure. The military provides total structure: when to wake up, where to be, what to do, and why it matters. Civilian life offers none of that by default. The freedom that sounds appealing in theory can feel like freefall in practice.
Invisible wounds. PTSD, traumatic brain injury, moral injury, and chronic pain are common among veterans — and they’re often invisible to the people around them. Many veterans learn to hide what they’re carrying. The result is suffering in silence, which is one of the most dangerous places to be.
Barriers to help. Despite progress, stigma around mental health persists in military culture. Asking for help can still feel like admitting weakness — even for veterans who know intellectually that it isn’t. And navigating the VA system is a full-time job that many veterans simply don’t have the energy for when they’re already struggling.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Whether you’re a veteran yourself, a family member, or a friend — knowing what to look for can save a life. Warning signs include:
- Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities they used to enjoy
- Talking about feeling like a burden, being trapped, or having no reason to go on
- Increased use of alcohol or substances
- Giving away meaningful possessions
- Dramatic mood changes — either sudden calm after a period of distress, or escalating agitation and hopelessness
- Reckless behavior or a sudden disregard for personal safety
- Talking about death or suicide — directly or indirectly
If you notice these signs in a veteran you know, don’t wait for a better moment. Ask directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?” Research consistently shows that asking the question does not plant the idea — it opens the door.
What Actually Helps
Crisis intervention saves lives in the moment. But long-term veteran wellbeing is built from something more sustained — and the research on protective factors is clear.
Connection and community. Isolation is one of the strongest predictors of veteran suicide risk. Programs that bring veterans together — whether through fitness, group therapy, peer support, or shared purpose — directly counter that isolation. Veterans heal in community. They always have.
Structure and purpose. One of the most destabilizing things about leaving the military is losing the answer to “why does today matter?” Giving veterans a goal — a training plan, a program to complete, a milestone to work toward — is not just a wellness tool. It’s a lifeline. Purpose is protective.
Physical wellness. The link between physical activity and mental health is well established. Exercise reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, improves sleep, and creates a sense of agency and progress. For veterans already familiar with physical training, rebuilding a fitness practice can be one of the most accessible entry points back to wellbeing.
Being seen. Sometimes what a veteran needs most is someone who asks how they’re really doing — and actually listens. Not to fix anything. Not to offer advice. Just to witness what they’re carrying. Feeling seen matters more than most people realize.
How You Can Help Right Now
You don’t have to be a clinician to make a difference in a veteran’s life this September. Here’s where to start:
Reach out to a veteran in your life. Not with a resource. Not with advice. Just to say: I’ve been thinking about you. How are you actually doing? That text or phone call matters more than you know.
Share the crisis line. Save the Veterans Crisis Line number in your phone: 988, then press 1. Share it with veterans in your life. Post it. Normalize it. The more visible it is, the more likely it is to be used when it’s needed most.
Support organizations doing the daily work. Hotlines save lives in crisis moments — but the work of keeping veterans well happens every day, in programs and communities that meet veterans where they are. Organizations like Boots to Health Foundation exist to provide exactly that kind of sustained, practical support.
We built Boots to Health Foundation because we believe no veteran should have to figure out what comes next alone. If you’re a veteran struggling right now — whether with your mental health, your physical recovery, or simply with the question of what comes next — reach out to us. We’re here, and we will show up for you.
Veterans Crisis Line: Call or text 988, press 1 · Text 838255 · VeteransCrisisLine.net
Leave a Reply