Military Suicides Fell in 2024 but Long-Term Rate for Active Duty Troops Still Rising, Pentagon Says

Fewer American service members died by suicide in 2024, with the number of deaths falling by 11% to 471 from a year earlier, according to a Pentagon report released Tuesday.

The rate of suicides per 100,000 service members also dropped that year compared to 2023, the report said. The decrease emerged under Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during the Biden administration and followed a rise in the number of military suicides in 2023.

Despite the drop in 2024, suicide rates among active-duty troops overall still have gradually increased between 2011 and 2024, while the National Guard and Reserve have stayed largely stable, the report said.

The military’s statistics generally reflect suicide rates for society as a whole, when adjusted for age and gender, because a majority of those in the military are young and male. The overall trend in suicide rates for active-duty service members “mirrors the increase in the U.S. population suicide rates over time,” the report said.

US Supreme Court Strikes Down Colorado's Ban on Conversion Therapy

The US Supreme Court has ruled against a law in Colorado that bans so-called conversion therapy for lesbian, gay and transgender people.

It sided 8-1 with a therapist from Colorado Springs who argued that the state's restrictions violated her free speech rights guaranteed under the US Constitution's First Amendment.

The justices ruled that lower courts had "erred by failing to apply sufficiently rigorous scrutiny" to restrictions on free speech.

Writing the majority decision for the court, Justice Neil Gorsuch agreed, saying Colorado's law "censors speech based on viewpoint".

The justices emphasized that Chiles's talk therapy "involves no physical interventions or medications".

Colorado officials had said the law does not regulate speech but instead regulates the conduct of professionals providing mental health treatment. They also argued the law does not prohibit discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation.

Prepare to Protect Coverage: EMI Information Session - April 24

April 24, 2026 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Virtual 

Upcoming Medicaid eligibility changes will increase coverage-loss risk for vulnerable members. Join this session to learn how the EMI Eligibility Management Learning Community equips behavioral health providers with practical workflows and tools to identify risk early and help members maintain coverage before disenrollment disrupts care.

Come learn more about the work that the EMI is doing and our plan to prepare to protect coverage.

The Ohio Council Welcomes New Provider Member, Skypoint Recovery

Skypoint Recovery in Akron, OH. Caleigh Hoskins, CEO can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (352) 223-5914. Skypoint Recovery offers comprehensive, evidence-based care for individuals seeking recovery from substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions. Their accredited facility combines advanced clinical treatments with individualized support programs, delivered by experienced healthcare professionals. Their primary services are PHP, IOP, E&M Services, Counseling Individuals, Case Management and Peer Services. 

Click here to learn more about Skypoint Recovery!