Reposted from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.

Suicide is a leading cause of death in both the United States and Utah, and data show that veterans have an increased risk for suicide-related deaths. A new report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute sheds light on how Utah’s veterans access suicide prevention resources. The study, commissioned by the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, identifies key barriers and offers recommendations to improve outreach and engagement.

“Our research aims to understand how veterans access suicide prevention services in Utah and highlights the critical role of personal connections in reaching service members in need,” said Kara Byrne, senior health and human services analyst at the Gardner Institute and lead author of the report. “By focusing on building trust and addressing systemic barriers, the state can improve access to these life-saving resources.”

Utah’s suicide rate is nearly 21 deaths per 100,000 residents, or about 50% higher than the national rate, according to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. The veteran suicide rate of 34.7 deaths nationally is about double that of adult non-veterans, according to the Veterans Administration. In 2022, 68 Utah veterans lost their own lives.

“The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, in conjunction with the State of Utah, is committed to reducing suicide and improving mental health among service members, veterans and their families,” said Gary Harter, the department’s executive director. “This valuable research shines a light on where we need to focus our prevention efforts. One life lost to suicide is one too many.”

Key findings:

Access to information: While many Veterans access mental health and suicide prevention resources, 25% have never looked for this information, and 17% are unsure how to access it, indicating a need for clearer, more accessible information pathways.

Personal connection matters: Veterans trust information from personal sources, such as their doctors, therapists, friends, family and military peers, underscoring the importance of leveraging trusted relationships in outreach strategies.

Mixed trust in crisis services: Only 36% of survey respondents trust mental health crisis response services, but more than 50% of those who used a crisis line found the response helpful, highlighting a need to understand the factors that influence trust and improve the quality of crisis intervention.

Systemic and personal barriers: Major barriers include long wait times, the so-called “warrior ethos,” veterans’ concerns about how others see them, and fears that seeking help could impact career advancement, illustrating the complex interplay of practical and cultural obstacles to accessing care.

Reaching active service members and veterans: Suggestions for connecting active service members and veterans with suicide-prevention resources include better aligning efforts and pooling resources, targeting rural communities and reducing stigma.

The full report is available online.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, and press 1 to access the Veterans Crisis Line.

• Nick Thiriot Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute communications director
  801-842-9150 nick.thiriot@utah.edu