Butler County reports no veteran suicides in first quarter after devastating 2025
Officials dedicate coordinator to analyze cases as prevention becomes top priority
BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio (WXIX) - The Butler County Veterans Service Office reported no veteran suicides through the first three months of 2026 after 12 veterans died by suicide in the county in 2025.
Butler County Veterans Service Office Director Mike Farmer said one suicide is too many, but 12 in one calendar year prompted his office to make prevention a top priority.
“We’ve had none to date the first quarter, which is a huge win for the Butler County community. It’s a huge relief for us,” Farmer said.
Analyzing the data
Farmer said veterans in Butler County are nearly seven times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. His office is now dedicating a coordinator specifically to analyze each case.
“We have a veterans coordinator that is specifically going to look at every case and analyze both the quantitative and the qualitative data so that we can get some answers and better help the veterans that are struggling and face these crisis moments,” Farmer said.
Farmer said 2025 was the worst year the office has ever seen. The data revealed a troubling pattern.
“Fridays were our if we look at when the crisis occurred Fridays were the most common day. Four of them occurred on Fridays, which is kind of a little bit surprising,” Farmer said.
Connection to VA care
Farmer said six of the 12 veterans who died by suicide last year were not connected to the VA Medical Center for health care. That could be partially due to a change in who qualifies for what benefits, even as the PACT Act significantly expanded coverage for more veterans.
“So just by enrolling, you’re helping another veteran. You’re not taking away from. You’re actually making it a better experience,” Farmer said.
“The important thing that they need to know is that they matter. We’re here for them and there’s always somebody willing to talk and listen,” Farmer said.
President Trump recently signed an executive order accelerating research and improving access to psychedelic drugs as potential new treatments for veterans who may not respond to traditional therapies.
Anyone in crisis can call or text 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.
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