CAPITAL REGION, NY (WRGB) — New York’s veteran suicide rates are the highest they’ve been in nearly 20 years, that’s according to a report from the NY Health Foundation.

The report is composed of data from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and shows New York veterans died by suicide at twice the rate as the state’s general public.

The spike comes after years where rates remained stable or declined.

“Historically, New York state has had some of the lowest suicide rates just in general,” said Derek Coy, Veterans’ Health Program Officer at NY Health Foundation.

The data is from 2023 and shows veterans aged 18-34 had the highest rates of suicide. Coy served in the U.S. Marine Corp.

“The question is, what is the new generation and what are their issues? Because post 911, if we look at that era ending, maybe after the withdrawal of Afghanistan in 2021, I may not have a lot in common with someone who’s serving on the front lines today or is potentially being deployed to Iran.”

In Saratoga County, Alliance 180, a non-profit who supports veterans in crisis, says the numbers aren’t surprising.

Director Bob Nevins was a medical helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War.

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“We’re seeing the people that actually need the help. We don’t have a mixed bag. If somebody’s been dealing with post-traumatic stress, suicidal ideation, that’s who we work with,” said Nevins.

Alliance 180 believes a way to help veterans is through more collaboration between agencies and stand alone non-profits.

Jason Collins, the Strategic Support Director, served in the U.S. Navy.

“It’s a shared mission, we’re all trying to do the same thing. So if we all have pieces of this puzzle, we should be putting them together and working together to be more effective,” said Collins. “If we’re not doing that, we’re failing the people that we’re trying to serve.”

For the foundation, it’s more than just support during a crisis, but prevention efforts like housing, employment and other variables- and new fresh data.

“It’s important to understand that there were 167 veterans that died by suicide in 2023. But what would be really helpful to know is what days of the week, what time of the year,” added Coy.

New York is home to nearly 560,000 military veterans.

Alliance 180 supports veterans all over the country, however, this year they are giving a special focus to New Yorkers.