Mesothelioma and Mental Health: Veterans With Cancer Face Suicide Risk for Years Posted on October 27, 2026October 27, 2026 by Christopher Dryfoos 3 Min Read A new national study from Oregon Health & Science University (OSHU) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) found that suicide attempts were far more common than previously thought among veterans facing cancer. For U.S. veterans with mesothelioma, these findings matter. This aggressive cancer, which can develop after exposure to asbestos during military service decades earlier, is often diagnosed at advanced stages when there are fewer treatments. Patients often report issues like anxiety and depression in addition to physical symptoms. Still, veterans with mesothelioma need to know that there’s help for both the cancer and the emotional toll a diagnosis brings. Get a Free Veterans Packet to learn how we can help U.S. veterans explore cancer treatment, support options, and more after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Get a Free Veterans PacketGet information on: Top Treatments Best Doctors Improving Prognosis Get a Free Veterans Packet Which Veterans Face the Highest Suicide Risk After a Cancer Diagnosis? The OSHU and VHA study tracked nearly a decade of data on veterans with cancer. It found that the risk of suicide is much higher in the months after diagnosis. The risk doesn’t drop when treatment ends, and it can stay elevated for up to five years. Researchers identified about 2,400 suicide-related events among veterans diagnosed between 2014 and 2023, and nearly 90% were nonfatal attempts. Most earlier studies counted only deaths, missing the far more common attempts. Some groups of veterans faced higher risk for suicide attempts, including: American Indians and Alaska Natives Veterans under 45 Veterans with chronic mental illnesses or high pain levels Veterans with liver, brain, pancreatic, thyroid, or head and neck cancers Unmarried veterans Women Mesothelioma wasn’t among the cancers the study highlighted. However, given that mesothelioma is so rare, usually not diagnosed in an early stage, and aggressive, it can take a mental toll on even the toughest of veterans. Why Standard Cancer Care Can Miss Warning Signs in Veterans With Mesothelioma Sometimes, cancer care networks focus on a patient’s physical health, overlooking the psychological effects of a diagnosis. The study’s authors recommend routine suicide-risk screening from diagnosis through survivorship, tailored to age, cancer type, pain levels, and mental-health history. That isn’t standard practice. The five-year risk window is also longer than many survivorship care plans, which often taper off after the first year or two. “Our findings really show that suicide risk doesn’t end when treatment ends.” – Dr. Donald R. Sullivan, lead author of the study The study found that veterans who received palliative (pain-relieving) care had lower rates of suicide-related events. Palliative care can be offered alongside standard mesothelioma treatment, so it’s worth asking about early. How Veterans With Mesothelioma Can Manage Their Mental Health It’s easy to feel alone or overwhelmed when facing a rare cancer like mesothelioma, but there is a wide range of support options to help veterans stay connected and move forward. Key support options for mesothelioma include: The Mesothelioma Veterans Center support group: Our group meets once a month over Zoom and is co-moderated by a licensed oncology social worker, a registered nurse, and a U.S. veteran. Use the group to connect with other patients who are going through a similar diagnosis and get practical advice. Save your spot for our next group meeting. Mental health counseling: Speaking with a mental health professional about your feelings is an excellent way to manage them more effectively. Your mesothelioma cancer center may have social workers, psychologists, or other professionals on staff you can meet with. Emergency services: Call 988 and then press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, or text 838255. You don’t need to be enrolled in any VA benefits programs to get help. The most important thing is not to wait if you or a loved one is actively considering suicide. Immediate help is a great first step to getting the care you need. Supporting U.S. Veterans With Mesothelioma Suicide risk among veterans with cancer is highest in the first six months after diagnosis and can remain elevated for up to five years. For veterans facing an often-aggressive cancer like mesothelioma, it’s important to get mental health support from the outset. The Mesothelioma Veterans Center offers free support to U.S. veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma and their families. Our team helps veterans take care of their physical health and get the resources they need, so no one has to face this cancer alone. Our team can assist you with: Finding mental and emotional support, including support groups Filing for or increasing your mesothelioma VA benefits Receiving care from top mesothelioma doctors and cancer centers Exploring financial compensation options to cover expenses Call (877) 450-8973 or get a Free Veterans Packet to learn more about how we can help you or a U.S. veteran facing mesothelioma.