Listen Live
Donate
 on air
Schedule

KCRW

Read & Explore

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Food
  • Culture
  • Events

Listen

  • Live Radio
  • Music
  • Podcasts
  • Full Schedule

Information

  • About
  • Careers
  • Help / FAQ
  • Newsletters
  • Contact

Support

  • Become a Member
  • Become a VIP
  • Ways to Give
  • Shop
  • Member Perks

Become a Member

Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

DonateGive Monthly

Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
Cookie Policy
|FCC Public Files

Back to Which Way, L.A.?

Which Way, L.A.?

Military Suicides on the Rise

Suicides among America's active soldiers and veterans are outpacing combat casualties -- and the numbers are increasing — even as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are winding down. Last week, the Associated Press reported some daunting statistics : 154 suicides in 155 days among American troops on active duty.

  • rss
  • Share
By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

Suicides among America's active soldiers and veterans are outpacing combat casualties -- and the numbers are increasing — even as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are winding down. Last week, the Associated Press reported some daunting statistics: 154 suicides in 155 days among American troops on active duty. The Department of Veterans Affairs says veterans are killing themselves at an average rate of 18 a day. The total deaths from suicide far exceed combat casualties in the past ten years of war. We hear how family survivors, the Pentagon and others are searching for answers.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: offers 24/7 free and confidential, nationwide network of crisis centers. Veterans can press 1 with confidentiality and privacy

800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) or www.SuicidePreventionLifeline.org

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors:

800-959-TAPS (800-959-8277) or

taps.org

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

  • KCRW placeholder

    Christian Bordal

    Managing Producer, Greater LA

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Anna Scott

    Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Caitlin Shamberg

    KCRW

  • KCRW placeholder

    Yochi Dreazen

    Foreign editor for Vox

  • KCRW placeholder

    Kim Ruocco

    Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

  • KCRW placeholder

    David Rudd

    National Center for Veterans Studies

    News
Back to Which Way, L.A.?