Among veterans enrolled in the VA,
1 in 3
women report experiencing MST.
DAV’s third landmark report is one of the most comprehensive assessments of the unique factors contributing to the alarming rate of suicide among women veterans and how the system charged with their mental health care can and must do better.
The suicide rate among women veterans was 92.4% higher than for non-veteran women.
Of suicide deaths among women veterans involved firearms.
Higher suicide rate for women VA health care users who reported experiencing military sexual trauma (MST).
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High rates of women veterans experience unique challenges that can put them at greater risk of suicide, including:
Among veterans enrolled in the VA,
1 in 3
women report experiencing MST.
Nearly
1 in 5
women veterans using VA primary care reported experiencing intimate partner violence in the past year.
The risk of suicide death among women veterans with active substance use disorder is more than
2X
what it is for men.
During pregnancy
and up to
1 year
after giving birth can be a time of increased risk for a mental health diagnosis and suicidality .*
* In women patients with a prior mental health diagnosis.
Menopause has been shown to raise the risk for depression twofold and corresponds to the
highest rates of suicide
among U.S. women.
Click on image to read veteran's story.
Army, Reserve, and New Mexico National Guard
“As far as mental health, I didn’t even realize that was an option with the VA. I mean, if they couldn’t handle my medical care, I didn’t feel like they were prepared to help treat my depression.”
The end of DAV National Commander Nancy Espinosa’s service in the Army was marked by health challenges and devastating losses.
Army, Reserve, and New Mexico National Guard
Women’s Army Corps
“I have two failed suicide attempts… I think that if I had gotten treatment earlier in my life, that it wouldn’t have been such a train wreck.”
After surviving a brutal series of sexual assaults in the military, Ginger MacCutcheon spent decades coping with PTSD on her own and in secret.
Women’s Army Corps
Army
“As a woman veteran, it’s easy to isolate, because you kind of feel misunderstood.”
Constance Cotton, a veteran of the Gulf War, has found healing in the community of women veterans through gender-specific programs and organizations like DAV.
Army
Army
“There was no information given to me [upon separating from the military]. I went on not knowing that I was broken for years.”
Penni Lo’Vette Brown didn’t know she could get help through the VA as a survivor of MST. It led her down a path that included homelessness, intimate partner violence and alcohol abuse.
Army
Navy
“I felt shame to begin with, but I felt even more shame when I reached out for help.”
While enlisted, Jennifer Alvarado experienced severe intimate partner violence that went ignored by her peers. When she tried to get help, she said she was further victimized.
Navy
Navy
“I mean, my dad died from a drug overdose and here I [was] doing the drug that killed him … I was very, very ashamed of myself.”
As a means to cope with sexual harassment and assault she experienced in the military, Jennifer Badger turned to alcohol and, eventually, a drug she calls “one of the worst demons on the planet.”
Navy
South Dakota Army National Guard
“It feels like a betrayal, and it adds a lot of frustration and a lot of emotional turmoil to something that’s already hard.”
As a veteran in a rural area, Kim Hubers has to go to great lengths and beyond the VA health care system to receive care, including for her mental health.
South Dakota Army National Guard
Air Force
“Those [VA-contracted maternity care] providers, we need to ensure that they are trained to be able to take care of women veterans.”
After the birth of her son in 2006, Iraq War veteran Naomi Mathis struggled with severe post-traumatic stress disorder related to service and likely compounded by pregnancy.
Air Force
Air Force
“I feel like there is a lack of information [and] there’s a lack of services specifically geared towards [menopause and its impact on mental health].”
Even as an expert in health sciences and menopause, Maria Luque was taken by surprise when she started experiencing mental health complications associated with menopause.
Air Force
The report found numerous gaps in mental health care and understanding related to women veterans, including:
Evidence of a significant number of
false (-)
screens for MST, a known risk factor for suicide among many women veterans.
The VA’s model
to predict suicidality uses
male
veterans as its baseline and does not consider MST.
According to the VA
1 in 4
women veterans live in rural areas, and rural veterans face significant barriers to health care.
VA reports that
only about
13
residential rehabilitation centers provide gender - exclusive care and services.
Many women veterans say they were unaware they were eligible for
VA
health care or resources.
DAV makes over 50 policy and legislative recommendations intended to spark necessary and urgent change that can save lives, including:
MST should be a central pillar of suicide prevention efforts within the VA, and the VA must ensure veterans are effectively screened or rescreened for MST.
The Department of Health and Human Services should create a three-digit number, with a veteran option, for the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233).
The VA must revise its model for predicting suicidality to incorporate risk factors weighted for women veterans.
The VA must develop targeted solutions to bridge gaps for the provision of mental health care services in rural communities.
Hear personal stories and experiences of women veterans, in their own words.
During the 2024 DAV & Auxiliary National Convention in Phoenix, DAV Assistant National Legislative Director and Air Force veteran Naomi Mathis presented findings and recommendations from DAV’s report Women Veterans: The Journey to Mental Wellness. Following the presentation, DAV moderated a candid panel discussion featuring three women veterans.
Three women veterans and DAV members talk about DAV’s report, “Women Veterans: The Journey to Mental Wellness,” and share their personal experiences with mental health.
No matter who you are, you can help DAV keep our nation's sacred promise to care for veterans forever changed by service.
DAV fights for legislation that protects the rights and benefits of all veterans, including America’s more than 4.7 million disabled veterans. Help advocate for key legislation that will affect our nation’s heroes and their care.
DAV continues to fight for equal access to benefits and quality health care for women veterans through legislation, policy and education. Visit our resource page for more information.
Your story can impact the lives of others in profound ways. From Capitol Hill to Main Street U.S.A., your service-related experiences can influence people to support and advocate for our nation’s veterans.
