The first years after service: staying safe through the transition

In a study of nearly 1.9 million service members who left from 2010 to 2017, suicide risk was highest in the first year after leaving, generally peaking 6 to 12 months out. Risk stayed higher for several years after that.

This doesn’t mean something will go wrong. It means it’s worth planning for this time the way you’d plan any mission.

Risk was highest for the youngest people leaving, and for those with less than two years of service. The researchers suggested prevention may be especially helpful for these groups.

If that’s you, or someone you love, it’s even more important to line up support early.

For veterans who left service in 2023, the suicide rate in the first year after leaving was the lowest since 2016. VA now reaches out to newly separated veterans through Solid Start.

Without a set routine, days can blur together. Sleep, meals and exercise can slip, and that can affect your mood.

Feeling connected to other people protects against suicide. After service, your closest friends may be scattered across the country.

Staying in touch with even one or two people you served with can make a real difference.

VA advises applying for VA health care when you receive your separation or retirement orders, so there’s less of a gap.

Financial loss was one of the common risk factors in VA reviews of recent patients who died by suicide. Planning a money cushion and a job search early can ease pressure.

Many families move after service. Partners and kids adjust too, and relationship strain is common during big changes.

TAP gives service members and their families information and tools for leaving the military. The VA Benefits and Services course covers health care, disability compensation, education, housing and community connection.

An online version is open to veterans, family members and caregivers too.

VA recommends applying when you receive your separation or retirement orders. Combat veterans discharged on or after September 11, 2001, get 10 years of enhanced eligibility, so apply right away.

Solid Start tries to reach newly separated veterans during days 0–90, 91–180 and 181–365. Calls cover health care, mental health resources, education, housing and more. You can also schedule a call.

The Solid Start line is 1-800-827-0611, weekdays 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. Keep your contact details up to date on VA.gov so they can reach you.

Retired and honorably discharged members and their immediate families can use Military OneSource until 365 days after leaving. It offers free, confidential non-medical counseling, up to 12 sessions per issue, plus financial counseling.

Call 800-342-9647, 24/7.

Each VA medical center has a Post-9/11 Military2VA (M2VA) case management team. They help transitioning service members, veterans, families and caregivers navigate VA health care and reach their goals.

Sleep problems were one of the most common risk factors in VA reviews. VA offers free sleep help, including the online Path to Better Sleep program and the CBT-i Coach app.

A job application, a class, a workout plan or a project at home can give days shape. Purpose doesn’t have to be big to help.

The National Center for PTSD suggests planning ahead for anniversaries, such as Memorial Day or the date you lost a friend. Spend the day with people, do something meaningful, and tell someone what you need.

You can walk into or call any VA medical center, day or night, or any Vet Center during clinic hours. All VA health care facilities provide same-day emergency mental health care.

VA says its mental health care is available no matter your discharge status, and it can help with sleep problems, anger and readjusting to civilian life.

Vet Centers offer free, confidential counseling to eligible veterans, service members and families, including help with the move from military to civilian life. The Vet Center Call Center is 1-877-927-8387, 24/7, staffed by combat veterans and family members.

Under the COMPACT Act, eligible veterans can get emergency suicide-prevention care at any emergency department at no cost.

VA says putting time and space between a crisis and action gives crucial moments to get through. Many veterans choose safer storage during stressful times, and VA offers free cable gun locks.

Increasing alcohol or drug use is a warning sign the Veterans Crisis Line asks people to take seriously.

VA encourages veterans to connect with peers and do buddy checks on each other. Checking on a buddy can help you as much as them.

Losing a home is a heavy stress. Housing & homelessness help for veterans explains how to get help before it becomes a crisis.

The online TAP VA Benefits and Services course is open to family members and caregivers. Immediate family can also use Military OneSource until 365 days after the service member leaves.

Keep an eye out for the warning lights above, and check in directly if you’re worried.

Spouses may lose a community or restart a career. The Veterans Crisis Line supports family and friends, and Vet Centers offer family counseling.

Veteran service organizations, sports and outdoor groups, and volunteer teams can offer the camaraderie many miss. Vet Centers also run group counseling.

Through VA’s Fox suicide prevention grants, about 17,000 veterans, service members and family members got services from community groups in 2025.

• Employers: share the Veterans Crisis Line and support time off for care
• Faith groups: welcome new veterans and know where to point people for help
• Schools: connect student veterans with campus veteran services
• Everyone: learn the free S.A.V.E. suicide prevention training from VA and PsychArmor

• Emergency: 911
• Vet Center Call Center: 1-877-927-8387, 24/7
• Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net

Veterans Crisis Line TTY: 1-800-799-4889. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect.

• Military OneSource: 800-342-9647, 24/7, up to 365 days after leaving
• VA Solid Start: 1-800-827-0611, weekdays 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET

The Veterans Crisis Line website lists numbers for each overseas region, and its online chat works from anywhere.

findahelpline.com lists free, confidential helplines by country. Veteran suicide prevention lists veterans’ lines in Australia, Canada and the UK. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.