Suicides increased to a three-decade high in the Air Force last year, even as other departments in the military saw their numbers dwindle or stabilize, according to preliminary data collected by the Associated Press.
The Air Force had 84 suicides among active-duty members in 2019, up from 60 the year before. The increase follows five years of relative stability. During that time, the Air Force’s annual totals were between 60 and 64 suicides. Data compiled by the Pentagon and the Air Force showed that 64 suicides in 2015 had been the highest for the Air Force this century.
Official figures won’t be published until later this year and could vary slightly from preliminary data.
“Suicide is a difficult national problem without easily identifiable solutions that have the full attention of leadership,” Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, the Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, said in a statement to the AP last week.
While suicide is often attributed to stress-related deployment to combat zones, a study published by The “Journal of the American Medical Association” in 2013 noted that combat experience had little to do with an increase in suicides. The study found that other factors, such as binge drinking and bi-polar disorder were to more likely to lead to suicide.
The Air Force will publish its official findings later this year, the AP said.