The meaning of 22

The number 22 has a special meaning for veterans and their families. It's a reference to an oft-quoted statistic from a 2012 Department of Veterans Affairs study that estimated that an average of 22 veterans die by suicide every day in the United States.

That's a sobering statistic. It hits at the heart of the crises many veterans face when they return home from service and, in many cases, find themselves coping with post-traumatic stress disorder, disability and trouble adjusting to civilian life. It is heartbreaking. And it has become a rallying cry for veterans, families and advocates as they seek to stem the tide of veteran suicide, with people doing everything from 22 pushups a day to honor those lives lost, to raising millions of dollars through walks, bike rides and other fundraisers.

What the number leaves out

22 doesn't tell the whole story, however. Though it is an important reminder of the ongoing crisis of veteran mental health, the statistic comes from a study completed more than a decade ago, which only surveyed about 40 percent of U.S. state veterans affairs bureaus. It's also commonly thought that the number refers to veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan — and while those veterans make up a significant portion of that awful statistic, the report actually showed that Vietnam veterans are equally if not more susceptible to death by suicide. Every death is too many. And every one is preventable.

Signs of progress

In the years since that study was completed, things have actually begun to change for the better. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs' 2026 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, there were 6,488 veteran suicides in 2024, an average of 17.7 deaths per day — a decrease of 20 percent.

No matter the number, we can all save a life, whether by a simple act of kindness, or by supporting the organizations that do vital work to support our veterans.

It's still too much. It's still incredibly painful. There is still much work to be done, by everyone whose lives are touched by service and who want to help the people who sacrificed so much for their country.