February 09, 2026

Ranking Member Takano’s Statement on Annual Veterans Suicide Report

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano released the following statement after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released the 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report.

“After months of delay, VA has finally released its overdue suicide prevention report. While the overall numbers have gone down ever so slightly, more clearly remains to be done. One life is too many. Losing more than 17 veterans every single day to suicide is unacceptable. These are not just statistics—these arefathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, friends, and fellow citizens who served our country and deserve the best care in return.

“We need to meet these veterans where they are—providing stable housing, helping veterans through the affordability crisis, and getting them the quality care they need as quickly as possible. This includes access to immediate and free emergency healthcare for veterans who are in crisis, whether they are enrolled in VA or not. This report also continues to reaffirm what we already know from past reports– those receiving VA care are less likely to die by suicide. It is more important than ever that we ensure VA has adequate resources and funding, and that the VA direct care system is protected and strengthened.

“What is perhaps most noticeable is not what this report does include, but what it does not include. This report does not provide any information about the rate of suicide among veterans with diagnoses related to gender identity, as past reports have. If Secretary Collins is serious about improving the veteran suicide rate, he needs to provide care and resources for all veterans. The report issued by this administration does not inspire confidence that he is willing to do so.

“This administration has unashamedly prioritized downsizing VA direct care and has continually failed its employees. We need to stand with VA employees to ensure the best possible working environment, to, in turn, ensure the best quality care for veterans. We need to address mental healthcare delays, and we need to defend resources like the Veterans Crisis Line.

“This is a matter of life and death. I will continue to work on finding solutions to ensure veterans and their families always have the support they need.”

Since 2005, VA has released an annual report that provides data and analysis of veteran suicide rates using the most recent available data. This year’s report, which reflects suicide data from 2023, showed a slight decrease from 2022 in veteran suicide deaths, with the average number of veteran suicides per day shifting from 17.6 in 2022 to 17.5 in 2023. This reflects a total of 6,398 veterans in 2023, compared to 6,442 in 2022. Because the overall veteran population has decreased from 2022 to 2023, the overall veteran suicide rate per 100,000 individuals has increased slightly, from 34.7 to 35.2.

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If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Call 988 and Press 1, text to 838255 or chat online at http://VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.

The COMPACT Act benefit provides immediate, free emergency mental healthcare for veterans experiencing an acute suicidal crisis, regardless of whether the veteran is already enrolled in VA’s healthcare system.