In 2023, the British military saw 19 out of 73 reported deaths (over 25%) among its personnel being classified as either definite or likely suicides. This troubling statistic reiterates concerns over an ongoing mental health crisis within the armed forces, demanding urgent attention and intervention.
The annual report on deaths in the UK regular armed forces, published in April 2024, provides a comprehensive analysis of mortality rates and causes of death from January 2014 to December 2023. The overall mortality rate for UK armed forces personnel in 2023 was 50 per 100,000, a slight increase from the previous year’s rate of 46 per 100,000. Despite the increase, the armed forces’ mortality rate remains reportedly significantly lower than that of the general UK population, attributable to the ‘healthy worker effect’ that tends to favour those in physically demanding professions.
However, the rising number of suicides exposes the unique pressures faced by military personnel. The report indicates that, as of February 23, 2024, there were 12 deaths awaiting a Coroner’s Inquest, currently categorised as ‘Other Accidents,’ which may potentially be reclassified as suicides pending further investigation.
In 2022, the British military saw 19 death out of a total 69 of all deaths – 27.5% – being reportedly definite or potential suicides.
Dr. Iain Overton, Director of Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), commented on the findings: “The number of suicides within the British military is an ongoing concern. It underscores the urgent need for improved mental health support and preventive measures to address the underlying issues faced by our service members.”
“Previous AOAV research has shown that more soldiers have killed themselves in recent years than have died in combat. This should be of continuing concern.”
An AOAV comparison of UK Ministry of Defence data on suicides since 1984 in the UK regular armed forces and UK Armed Forces Deaths: Operational deaths showed that, since 1984, some 905 serving members of the military killed themselves whilst serving compared to 802 deaths related to hostile actions. The British Military has only published post-1984 data on serving personnel suicides, and these figures do not include veteran suicides.
Overall, the British military has suffered 802 combat deaths since 1984 following hostile action in Northern Ireland (171 in Northern Ireland, 53 outside), Gulf War One (24), Balkans (13), Sierra Leone (1), Afghanistan (405), and Iraq (135). This compares to 905 suicides whilst in service. Military suicides have generally fallen over the last 40 years. However, in 2021, the MOD noted that “in the last five years there was an increase in the rate of suicide among Army males from six per 100,000 in 2014 to 15 per 100,000 in 2018.”
Their report noted that “suicide remains a rare event in the UK armed forces, with on average less than two per month. This represents less than one death per 1,000 armed forces personnel.”
The three leading causes of death in 2023 among the UK regular armed forces were cancers (25%, n=18), other accidents (22%, n=16), and land transport accidents (16%, n=12).
While the armed forces are at a statistically significant lower risk of dying from disease-related conditions compared to the general population, the mental health challenges resulting in suicides require immediate and comprehensive action.
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