During National Suicide Prevention Month, Serenity Mental Health Centers, an outpatient mental health clinic network with more than 35 clinics across the United States, is sharing clinical guidance on the elevated suicide risk veterans face. Federal data confirms that veteran suicide rates remain far above the national average: roughly 1.7 times the national rate for men, and more than double for women. For veterans who have not found relief with medication alone, the guidance examines the role of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy and why veterans are at higher risk.

What Is the Veteran Suicide Rate in the U.S.?

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, covering data through 2023:

  • 6,398 veterans died by suicide in 2023.

  • The male veteran suicide rate rose to 37.8 per 100,000, which is well above the 22.2 per 100,000 rate for men nationally, a gap of roughly 1.7 times.

  • The female veteran suicide rate rose to 13.9 per 100,000, more than double the 5.6 per 100,000 rate for women nationally.

“Every year during Suicide Prevention Month, veterans are named as a population at heightened risk, but rarely are viable solutions for treatment discussed,” said Dr. TeeJay Tripp, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Serenity Mental Health Centers. “What is often left out of the conversation is that there are evidence-based, outpatient treatments built for the patients that standard care hasn’t reached, including veterans managing PTSD and depression together. Veterans deserve to know those options exist and how to get access to treatment.”

Why Are Veterans at Higher Risk, and What Role Does PTSD Play?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and combat- or service-related trauma are well-established risk factors for suicidal thoughts among veterans and service members. In military communities, that trauma spans combat exposure, military sexual trauma (MST), moral injury and PTSD occurring alongside traumatic brain injury. This is a combination common among post-9/11 veterans that can complicate trauma-focused treatment if it is not identified at evaluation. Serenity treats a significant PTSD patient population nationally. Across its centers, 22.7% of patients treated by Serenity psychiatrists in 2024 carried a PTSD diagnosis. Serenity operates multiple mental health clinics in markets with large military and veteran communities, including Alexandria, Virginia; Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Colorado Springs, Houston and San Antonio. Serenity’s Alexandria, Virginia clinic sits minutes from Fort Belvoir and is in-network with Tricare and VA.

What Does Research Show About TMS Therapy for Veterans With PTSD?

A naturalistic cohort study of nearly 770 veterans treated with prefrontal TMS through the Veterans Health Administration, published in the journal Brain Stimulation, found:

  • 41.4% of veterans responded to TMS treatment for depression, and 20% achieved remission.

  • Among veterans with comorbid PTSD, 65.3% experienced a clinically meaningful reduction in PTSD symptoms, and 46.1% no longer met diagnostic criteria for PTSD after treatment.

Separately, a peer-reviewed study of active-duty service members experiencing acute suicidal thoughts, published in The Journal of ECT, found that service members who completed a five-day accelerated course of repetitive TMS experienced rapid psychiatric stabilization, with every participant in the small study achieving remission of suicidal ideation by the end of treatment. Researchers noted the sample size was small and called for larger studies to confirm the finding but described it as an early signal that accelerated TMS protocols may have a role to play in acute suicide risk, not just longer-term depression care.

How Is TMS Therapy Different From Medication?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is a non-invasive, outpatient treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate regions of the brain associated with mood regulation. Unlike medication, which acts on brain chemistry throughout the body, TMS targets specific neural circuits involved in depression, PTSD, OCD and related conditions. Serenity uses BrainsWay® Deep TMS™ technology, which is FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder and OCD. The treatment requires no anesthesia or sedation, and patients typically resume daily activities the same day. Serenity’s care model also includes access to breakthrough mental health medications, including ketamine infusion therapy, for patients who have not found relief through standard antidepressants alone.

Who Is a Candidate for TMS Therapy?

Candidates for TMS therapy typically include adults with a confirmed mood disorder diagnosis who have not responded fully to medication, or who are seeking a non-medication treatment path. An evaluation by a Serenity psychiatrist determines candidacy and confirms there are no contraindications. TMS and ketamine infusion therapy are outpatient behavioral health treatments and are not a substitute for immediate crisis care. Serenity encourages anyone in crisis to contact 1-844-310-1649 to speak to a crisis trained team member between 6am ET and 9pm ET.

Expanding Access to Care for Veterans

Serenity Mental Health Centers currently operates outpatient mental health clinics in eight states with continued expansion planned in military-adjacent and underserved markets. Serenity locates clinics near military installations and the communities veterans live in. Most clinics are in-network with Tricare and VA, removing two of the most common barriers to starting care: cost and referrals. For veterans, that means TMS and other advanced outpatient treatments are available close to home, without a hospital stay. Serenity encourages veterans, their families and referring clinicians to ask about TMS candidacy at any of its clinics.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, help is available now. Call to speak to the crisis team at Serenity Mental Health Centers: 1-844-310-1649 between 6am ET and 9pm ET. After hours call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Veterans and service members can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 988, then pressing 1, or by texting 838255.

About Serenity Mental Health Centers

Serenity Mental Health Centers is a leading provider of outpatient mental health services, dedicated to transforming the lives of patients through compassionate, innovative and evidence-based care. With more than 35 mental health clinics across the United States, Serenity offers a range of mental health services tailored to address mental disorders including depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD and ADHD. Serenity’s psychiatrists, nurse practitioners and behavioral health specialists combine innovative therapies including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy and ketamine infusion therapy with personalized medication management to help patients achieve lasting wellness. For more information, visit serenitymentalhealthcenters.com.

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