Suicide death rates among veterans residing in Florida is at least 2.6 times higher than the general population.
According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Florida is home to 21 military bases and over 1.4 million veterans. This represents 6.5% of Florida’s total population and makes Florida the highest-ranking state.
Florida Veteran Support Line
If you or your loved one needs support, call  844-MyFLVet (693-5838) and talk to a trained specialist. Many of them are fellow veterans and are available 24/7.
Risk and Protective Factors
There are no single causes of suicide. Risk and protective factors at individual, community and societal levels can interact to lessen or increase the likelihood of dying by suicide. While the risk and protective factors that affect the general population still apply to veterans, there are some unique factors that should be identified.
Risk Factors
- Service-related injury
- Transition from military service to civilian life
Protective Factors
- Resilience or strong sense of belonging
Suicide Prevention Strategies
| Suicide Prevention Strategies | Key Actions and Approaches |
|---|---|
| 1. Strengthen economic supports | – Improve household financial security – Stabilize housing |
| 2. Create protective environments | – Reduce access to lethal means among persons at risk of suicide – Create healthy organizational policies and culture – Reduce substance use through community-based policies and practices |
| 3. Improve access and delivery of suicide care | – Cover mental health conditions in health insurance policies – Increase provider availability in underserved areas – Provide rapid and remote access to help – Create safe suicide care through systems change |
| 4. Promote healthy connections | – Promote healthy peer norms – Engage community members in shared activities |
| 5. Teach coping and problem-solving skills | – Support social-emotional learning programs – Teach parenting skills to improve family relationships – Support resilience through education programs |
| 6. Identify and support people at risk | – Train gatekeepers – Respond to crises – Plan for safety and follow-up after an attempt – Provide therapeutic approaches |
| 7. Less harms and prevent future risk | – Intervene after a suicide (postvention) – Report and message about suicide safely |
Resources for Assistance
Florida’s Office of Suicide Prevention – Service Members, Veterans, and Families offers resources relevant to service members, veterans and their families.
Mobile Response Crisis Teams has on-demand crisis intervention services offered in any setting. Available 24/7 by a team of professionals trained in crisis intervention skills to ensure timely access to supports and services.
Fire Watch covering Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns counties, is a network of community members and organizations trained to identify warning signs of veterans in crisis and connect them to care.