The veteran & first responder brain health initiative.
Why This Matters
These aren’t just statistics—they’re fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, friends, and neighbors. Every number represents a life of service and sacrifice, and a family forever changed.
At Valor Mission Project, we’re committed to addressing this crisis through evidence-based programs, resource navigation, and community support.
Traumatic Brain Injury Impact
- 509,000 service members & veterans sustained traumatic brain injuries since 2001
- TBI is strongly correlated with increased suicide risk, mental health challenges, and reduced quality of life
Alarming Statistics
- Suicide rates increased 36% between 2000-2022
- 49,476 lives lost to suicide in 2022 — one death every 11 minutes
- 13.2 million American adults seriously considered suicide in 2022
- 3.8 million planned and 1.6 million attempted suicide in 2022
The Veteran Mental Health Crisis
- 18-22 veterans die by suicide daily according to VA data
- Independent studies suggest numbers as high as 44 veterans per day
- Veterans face 72% higher suicide risk than non-veterans
- A family who has lost a member to suicide is at 50% higher risk of another suicide
First Responder Reality
- 150 law enforcement officers die by suicide annually
- Police officers have a 54% higher suicide risk than civilians
- Firefighter suicide rate is 18 per 100,000 compared to 13 per 100,000 for the general public
- An estimated 100 firefighters die by suicide each year