MoD admits suicide rates among young soldiers 'higher than general population'

15 April 2023 , 20:42

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Overall, 287 service personnel took their own lives from 2003 to 2022 (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Defence chiefs have finally admitted suicide rates among young soldiers are “significantly higher” than in the rest of society.

The number of victims aged 20 to 24 has tripled in recent years, from eight in 2013-2017 to 23 in 2018-2022.

And suicides by teenage soldiers doubled in the same period, a Ministry of Defence report revealed.

Overall, 287 service personnel took their own lives from 2003 to 2022.

The MoD has always maintained that suicide rates in the armed forces do not differ from the rest of society.

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But the study out last month said: “Suicide rates among Army males aged 20-24 were significantly higher than the general population. This is different to trends in the general population where males aged 45 to 54 had the highest rates of suicide.”

LCpl Joel Robinson, 24, of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, took his own life in 2019 (INS News Desk/INS News Agency Ltd)

LCpl Joel Robinson, of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, was 24 when he took his own life in 2019.

His mum Angela told an inquest he felt “worthless” after repeatedly being passed over for promotion.

Fusilier Jake Llewellyn Plumb, 23, was found dead at Lucknow Barracks, Wilts, in 2021. Mum Amanda said she thought he was “enjoying life”, adding: “I had no indication.”

Mental health campaigner Jim Wilde, a former Warrant Officer, said: “Many ministers previously stated the losses were not disproportionate to that of the civilian population.

Fusilier Jake Llewellyn Plumb, 23, took his own life in 2021

Now, the MoD has finally admitted suicides are higher in the armed forces. The time has come for them to work out why and do something.”

Ex-intelligence officer Col Phil Ingram claimed the MoD misled over suicide figures in the past, adding: “These figures demonstrate a failure of a duty of care to the youngest and probably most vulnerable.”

The MoD said the Army has a suicide prevention plan and a 24-hour helpline, and instructors are trained to help recruits handle stress. It added: “While suicide remains rare in the armed forces, any death is a tragedy.”

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Sean Rayment