The number of U.S. military suicides has reached an all-time high.

Revealing the startling news in a report issued Thursday, the U.S. Defense Department says there were 24.8 suicides per 100,000 service members in 2018 for a total of 541. That number represents an increase from 2017’s total of 21.9 per 100,000, or 511.

Of the 541 who took their own lives, 325 were on active duty, 81 were members of the reserves and 135 were with the National Guard, the report states. The victims were primarily men under 30 who used a firearm to kill themselves, the report indicates.

Source: https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2019/09/26/active-duty-suicides-are-on-the-rise-as-the-pentagon-works-on-new-messaging-and-strategy/