The National Association of American Veterans, Inc. (NAAV) with the support of its volunteers have found Veterans statistics for 2023 concerning Veterans total population in the U.S., Veterans with disabilities in the U.S., total number of Veterans with mental health issues, and total number of Veterans without homes in the U.S.
We are honored to be able to provide this information about the current statistics of Veterans in the United States. We are thankful and grateful to be able to recognize the sacrifices and contributions made by those who have served and are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. We believe it is our duty as citizens to support and honor their military service to this nation.
Veterans Statistics Value
Veterans currently in the U.S. 16.5 million Veterans
Veterans with disabilities in the U.S. 11.9 million Veterans
Total Veterans with Mental Health issues 2.1 million Veterans
Total Veterans without homes About 40,401 Homeless Veterans
Veterans Population in the U.S.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were around 16.5 million Veterans in the United States in 2021. A majority of those Veterans are of the Vietnam War era, and are men over the age of 75.
U.S. men and women who fought in the conflict are now in their 90’s (some are much older) with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reporting that approximately 325,000 remain alive today, a significant decline on the 939,000 alive in 2015. According to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, just more that 240,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are alive today. The VA reports that about 234 World War II Veterans die each day.
Veterans with Mental Health Issues
In 2019, 15.3% of U.S. Veterans experiences a mental health condition, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression or substance abuse. As of 2020, suicide is the second leading cause of death for U.S. children ages 10 to 14, preceded only by unintentional injury. The impact of depression and anxiety has on the global economy can be measured in $1 trillion in lost productivity each year. In 2020, 51.2% of U.S. females received mental health services, while only 37.4% of males received mental health services.
Young adults ages 18 to 25 in the U.S. have the highest rate of experiencing any mental health concerns (30.6%) compared to adults aged 26 to 49 years, and the highest rate of serious mental illness (9.7%).
Females are diagnosed with serious mental health conditions at higher rates than males, 7% to 4.2%, respectively.
The percentage of U.S. Adults receiving mental health treatment rose form 19.2% in 2018 to 21.6% in 2021. (Source: Forbes Health)
Veterans with Disabilities in the U.S.
A total of 5,560,085 Veterans out of an eligible 19,349,382 Veteran or 28.7% of Veterans alive today in the United States currently have a service connected VA disability rating of )% or higher. Nationally, in 2020, 21% of U.S. Adults (52.9 million) experienced a mental health condition. (Source: National Alliance on Mental Health Accessed 1/18/2023)
According to the Lancet Accessed 1/24/2023, reported that worldwide, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of anxiety and depressive disorders grew. Depression symptoms grew from a base of about 193 million people worldwide to 246 million, which is about 28%. Anxiety disorders grew from about 398 million people affected to 374 million, which is about a 25% increase.
Veterans without Homes in the U.S. (Homeless Veterans)
According to the latest report, approximately 326,126,000 people are living in transitional housing and homeless shelters. Unsheltered people were not yet counted since the assigned dependent supported lessening the spread of COVID-10 throughout the year.
Veterans Homeless in the U.S.
A homeless Veteran is a person who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces who is also experiencing homelessness, or living without access to secure accommodation. In the wealthiest country on earth, homelessness rates have been on the rise over the last few years. Despite this, homelessness within the Veteran population has dramatically reduced over the last decade. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs attributes this success to the Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) established in 2011. The program provides targeted housing assistance, paired with access to various services such as mental health counseling, and job training.
The Department of Veterans Affairs hopes to permanently house 38,000 unsheltered Veterans in 2023, with a goal to ensure that 95% of them remain in those apartments or homes instead of returning to the streets. The target for 2023 is the same as the department’s 2022 goal, which it exceeded by 6%, housing 30,401 homeless Veterans.
The estimated number of Veterans experiencing homelessness was 33,129 in America has declined by 55.3% since 2020. Moreover, 19,565 Veterans experienced sheltered homelessness. Veterans who experience sheltered homelessness often live in places such as emergency shelters, transitional housing programs or other supportive settings. Veterans
who experience unsheltered homelessness live in places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings and literally on the street.
These statistics paint a deep picture of the challenges many Veterans face in the United States. It is important to recognize that Veterans face unique struggles as they transition back to civilian life, including mental health issues and homelessness.
The high number of Veterans with mental health issues highlights the need for accessible and effective mental health care for Veterans, as well as continued efforts to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. Additionally, the number of homeless Veterans is a reminder that more needs to be done to support Veterans in finding stable housing and accessing resources that can help them get back on their feet.
What is our Next Step?
. Maintain government investments that are supporting effective interventions to prevent.
homelessness among Veterans and rapidly rehouse those who become homeless, such
as those states and communities that have announced an end to Veteran homelessness.
. Keep up our nation’s outreach to support Veterans needs e.g., mental health issues,
emergency financial assistance, and promoting safe houses nationwide.
. Collaborate with governments, employers and community faith-based organizations to
House, employ and serve Veterans exiting homelessness.
For more information, call 1-877-4AiD-VET 424-3838, Homeless Veteran Chat, Confidential, 24/7 online support for Veterans and friends or contact your VA Medical Center (VAMC) Locator to Locate Your Local VA Medical Center Now. Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can call 1-800-698-2411 or visit their local VA Medical Center (VAMC) and ask for a Homeless Coordinator visit www.va.gov/directory.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health condition, help is available and accessible. You can call or text ‘988’ (or chat online on 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s website) for free, confidential, and immediate help. You can also call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to access the Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration 24/7 helpline.
By
NAAV, Inc. Volunteer Contributors Corporate Office, Washington, DC; email: info@naavets.org.