Senator Jerry Moran is concerned about the disparity between the Veterans Affairs Veteran Suicide Report and the report from Operation Deep Dive. Moran, the ranking member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee says one life lost to suicide is one too many and he’s encouraged by the VA’s report; however, the disparity between the numbers of veteran suicides reported by the VA and a recent report released by America’s Warrior Partnership, Operation Deep Dive is concerning.
The VA report says that in 2020 there were 6,146 veteran suicide deaths–343 fewer than the previous year, with an unadjusted suicide rate of 31.7 veterans per 100,000. It found that between 2001 and 2020 the suicide rates for veterans peaked in 2018 and fell again in 2019 and 2020. However, the Operation Deep Dive Report indicates it found a 37% greater suicide rate than reported by the VA between 2014 and 2018. Moran says they need better collaboration and an honest assessment of the scope of the problem and what factors play the biggest roles.
