Veterans’ final plea for help before suicide revealed in confronting new data

Suicides among Army personnel are now claiming a life every five days in Australia, with a shocking new report revealing most had sought help in the lead-up to their deaths.

Shocking new data has revealed that nearly 90 per cent of veterans who died by suicide had sought help in the year before their deaths.

Between 1997 and 2023, 1840 serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members died by suicide, according to new figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

Preliminary data suggests in 2023 alone, 73 veterans took their own lives — about one every five days.

AIHW’s head of the defence and veterans’ insights unit Paul Pham said veterans face higher rates of suicide than the general Australian population.

Julie-Ann Finney, who lost her navy son David, was the face of the Daily Telegraph's "Save Our Heroes" campaign as we pushed for the royal commission. Picture Brett Hartwig

Alongside the grim tally, the AIHW has released new analysis commissioned by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, examining the health services used by ex-serving members in the year before their death. The report focused on cases between July 2010 and June 2020.

It found 86 per cent of those who died by suicide had accessed health services in the 12 months beforehand — and for one in three, the last service they received was for mental health.

“Suicide has a profound and lasting impact – deeply affecting families and loved ones and sending ripple effects throughout Australia’s defence and veteran community,” Mr Pham said.

“This ongoing body of work aims to inform improvements in suicide awareness and prevention for ADF personnel and their families.”

Despite the ongoing toll, the data shows some signs of progress. Suicide rates for ex-serving men and women have generally declined since the mid-2010s, though the AIHW cautioned these figures are based on preliminary information and may shift as coronial processes are finalised.

Mr Pham said the AIHW’s work was crucial in informing prevention strategies and supporting the broader reform agenda for veteran wellbeing.

“The AIHW’s ongoing monitoring work helps us better understand and identify patterns, risk factors and where intervention opportunities may lie,” he said.

Julie-Ann Finney lost her son David to suicide after he tried desperately to access help. Picture: Alison Wynd

“We look forward to continuing to contribute to the achievement of the recommendations contained in the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Final Report handed down a year ago today.”

The Royal Commission, established in 2021, delivered its landmark final report in September 2024 by Commission lead, former NSW deputy police chief Nick Kaldas – called for the creation of a national suicide register for current and former ADF personnel and urgent action to address bullying and sexual assault within the military.

The inquiry revealed that serving and former Defence members are 20 times more likely to die by suicide than in combat — a staggering figure attributed largely to cultural failings within the Defence establishment.

In its response issued last December, the government supported 104 of the 122 recommendations. Seventeen were “noted” for further consideration, but the government has yet to clarify their fate to date.

Among the most urgent recommendations was a call for a formal, independent inquiry into military sexual violence — something survivors and legal experts said was crucial to driving cultural change and accountability. The final report also called for a review of the military justice system and action on the chronic under-reporting of sexual assault.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh last week updated parliament on the royal commission’s progress as he unveiled a new Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025–2030, designed to support serving members and veterans through service, transition, and civilian life.

If you or anyone you know needs help:

Lifeline: 13 11 14, lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 635, beyondblue.org.au

1800RESPECT, is a 24-hour hotline for sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling

Open Arms Veterans and Families Counselling: 1800 011 046, openarms.gov.au

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Originally published as Veterans’ final plea for help before suicide revealed in confronting new data