Why Does IW Promote Spirituality?

“I thought I had no reason to live. When I asked one veteran why he held on, he answered simply: ‘I could never do that, because I believe in God.’” This powerful confession comes from a survivor who, despite severe depression and trauma, remained committed to life because of his spiritual faith. It illustrates a truth that IW holds dear: spirituality can be a lifeline. In the fight against veteran suicide, IW promotes spirituality not to push any religion, but to harness the hope, purpose, and connection that belief in something greater can provide.

Veterans are dying by suicide at an alarming rate (around 22 veteran lives lost every day in recent years). Traditional approaches (therapy, medication, peer support) are crucial but often not enough on their own. IW’s mission has always been to bring veterans together through humor and camaraderie. Now, we also shine a light on spiritual well-being as a pillar of resilience. In this article, we explore why spirituality matters: what science says about faith and suicide risk, and how embracing one’s spiritual side can inspire hope and healing.

The Hidden Protective Power of Spiritual Practice

Modern research is confirming what many have long felt in their hearts: regular spiritual practice is powerfully protective for mental health. In fact, a VA literature review notes that people who are more spiritual tend to have better mental health and a lower risk of suicide. This isn’t just wishful thinking, it’s backed by hard data across large populations:

• A 20-year Harvard study of 90,000 individuals: Those who had a spiritual practice at least once a week were up to five times less likely to die by suicide compared to those who didn’t. In other words, regular participation in a “faith” of any kind was associated with an 80%+ reduction in suicide risk, a staggering protective effect. This finding has been echoed in other analyses, which show that spiritual participation significantly decrease the likelihood of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts. [pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  
  

• “Deaths of Despair” and spirituality: A follow-up study extended these findings to include deaths from alcohol and overdoses. It reported that women who had a weekly spiritual practice had a 68% lower risk of dying from suicide or substance abuse, and men had a 33% lower risk. This suggests that the benefits of spiritual involvement go beyond suicide prevention, they also help guard against related forms of despair and self-harm.

  
  

• Global reviews and meta-analyses: A comprehensive review of 89 studies worldwide concluded unequivocally that spiritual involvement is a robust protective factor against suicide. This held true even after accounting for social support and access to mental health care. In plainer terms, something about faith itself contributes to resilience. People connected to their faith tradition or spiritual practice consistently show lower rates of suicide attempts and ideation than those who have no spiritual connection.

  
  

What about those who don’t consider themselves “religious” in a traditional sense? 

Encouragingly, research shows that any form of sincere spirituality or belief in a higher power can help. In one study of individuals with mood disorders, those who simply believed in God or a higher power had substantially lower suicidality, even if they didn’t formally belong to a religion. It appears that finding personal spiritual meaning, whether through prayer, meditation, nature, or philosophy, can offer similar protective benefits. The common thread is faith in something bigger than oneself and the comfort, hope, and purpose that can instill.

Why Does Faith Correlate with Lower Suicide Risk?

Spirituality’s impact on suicide risk isn’t magic or coincidence. There are concrete psychological and social reasons why cultivating your spiritual side can be lifesaving:

• Hope and Meaning: One of the strongest predictors of suicidal behavior is hopelessness, the feeling that pain will never end or life has no meaning. Spiritual faith directly combats this. Belief in a higher plan or a loving power can inspire hope for the future, even in dark times. Teachings from many faiths emphasize that suffering can have purpose or that one is never truly alone… messages that instill a sense of meaning and possibility instead of despair. Psychiatric researchers found that patients who believed in God were more optimistic about their treatment and recovery. Likewise, Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl famously observed that a sense of purpose is a key predictor of survival. Spirituality often helps people frame their struggles as part of a larger journey, giving painful experiences meaning rather than seeing them as meaningless agony. This renewed sense of purpose and hope powerfully guards against suicidal thoughts.

  
  

• Connection and Community: Isolation is deadly. No one understands this better than the IW tribe. Loneliness and lack of belonging are strongly linked with depression and suicide. Spiritual communities can offer an additional antidote. Attending a meditation group, church, temple, mosque, or ceremony is more than a ritual, it’s “a form of meaningful social participation” that creates connection and buffers against loneliness. Being part of a faith community means you’re surrounded by even more peers, mentors, and often a whole new “extended family” that watches out for you.

  
  

• Healthy Coping and Self-Control: Many spiritual traditions teach coping skills that counteract suicidal urges. Practices like prayer, meditation, or mindfulness promote calmness and emotional regulation. Studies show that a significant number of suicide attempts occur on impulse, a passing urge in a moment of crisis. Spiritual beliefs can act as a brake on these impulses. For example, someone might resist suicidal thoughts because their faith teaches that life is sacred, or because they feel accountable to a higher power. By providing moral guidance and techniques for self-reflection, spirituality strengthens one’s ability to pause, reflect, and choose healthy coping over self-harm. (It’s worth noting that overly rigid or punitive religious guilt is harmful, but balanced, compassionate spirituality generally fosters self-control and resilience, not self-judgment.

  
  

• Discouraging Suicide Through Belief Systems: Most faiths explicitly discourage suicide, considering it against the natural order or divine will. For believers, this can be a decisive deterrent. As one veteran put it, “My life isn’t just mine to take. It belongs to something greater.” Knowing that their family, their community, and even their Creator would grieve their loss can give a suicidal person pause. This belief-driven pause can be long enough to seek help and let the suicidal crisis pass. In effect, faith can literally be a lifesaver by instilling the conviction that “I must not give up”.

  
  

• A Path to Forgiveness and Healing: Many of us veterans carry moral injuries, feelings of deep guilt or shame over things they experienced or did in war. These invisible wounds can fuel suicidal thoughts. Spirituality can help here too: through concepts of forgiveness, grace, and redemption, veterans may find a way to forgive themselves and ease their inner torment. Chaplains often work with veterans to process guilt in a spiritual framework, releasing burdens that conventional therapy alone might not fully address. Regaining a sense of being “forgiven” or “right with the world” can lift the weight of self-condemnation that often underlies suicidal ideation.

  
  

Spirituality and Veteran Mental Health: What the VA and Studies Say

Importantly, these benefits of spirituality apply to veterans just as much as (if not more than) the general population. The VA has increasingly recognized that a veteran’s “spirit” is a crucial part of their wellness. In its Whole Health model, VA includes “spirit and soul” alongside body and mind as core aspects of health. And the VA’s suicide prevention research echoes the findings above:

• VA Research on Spirituality & Suicide: In studies focusing on veterans (especially those with PTS), researchers found that spiritual well-being closely correlates with suicide risk. One VA study concluded that “enhanced or diminished spiritual functioning is associated with suicidal thoughts and attempts among Veterans dealing with PTSD.” In plain terms, veterans who report a strong spiritual foundation and positive spiritual coping have fewer suicidal ideations and are less likely to attempt suicide, whereas those in spiritual turmoil (feeling abandoned by God, devoid of meaning, etc.) have higher suicide risk. This aligns with what frontline counselors see: a veteran who finds spiritual strength often gains a renewed will to live, while one who loses their spiritual bearings may spiral deeper into despair.

  
  

• Chaplains on the Front Lines: The VA and Department of Defense have ramped up efforts to integrate chaplain services into suicide prevention. Both active-duty and VA chaplains are being trained to recognize and support veterans in suicidal crisis. Programs like “Empowering the Spirit” in the Houston VA demonstrate the impact of blending clinical care with spiritual care. In this program, chaplains and mental health providers co-lead workshops that help at-risk veterans explore their spirituality and rediscover hope and connection. Veterans who went through the pilot reported remarkable transformations… one veteran, initially skeptical, found “hope, forgiveness, and the strength to repair fractured relationships” by reconnecting to his faith. Another, who had survived a suicide attempt, said the spiritual program “truly changed my life” and left him “100 percent glad” he participated. Seeing these outcomes, VA is expanding such initiatives, affirming that “the link between spirituality and healing is clear” in preventing suicide.

  
  

• “Those with Faith Are 4x Less Likely to Die by Suicide”: This striking statistic has circulated in the veteran community, and for good reason. It encapsulates the cumulative findings of studies like those above. Veterans support organizations have noted that staying connected to one’s faith can make a person up to four times less likely to die by suicide. While individual experiences will vary, the core message is one of hope: nurturing your spiritual side significantly tilts the odds in favor of life. It’s not about dogma or doctrine, it’s about the protective effect of belief itself, whether that’s faith in God, a Higher Power, or a guiding philosophy. When a veteran believes “my life has meaning” or “I’m part of something greater,” the darkest thoughts don’t hold the same power.

  
  

Embracing Spiritual Wellness In Your Own Way

Irreverent Warriors is an organization known for humor, camaraderie, and irreverence… so why are we talking about spirituality? Because we care about saving lives and improving quality of life for our veterans. Spiritual wellness is part of that mission. And don’t worry: promoting spirituality is not about pushing any particular religion or belief system on anyone. It’s about encouraging each veteran to explore what you personally find meaningful and uplifting.

You might express your spiritual side in many ways, for example:

• Faith Traditions: If you have a religion (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, etc.), consider re-engaging with it in a new way: YOUR way. Attend a service or reconnect with faith friends/family. The structure and community can be comforting. As studies show, regular participation (weekly or even more) can provide steady doses of hope and connection that build resilience. If you’ve been away from your faith, it’s never too late to return in whatever capacity feels right.

  
  

• Private Spiritual Practice: Not everyone likes group worship, and that’s okay. You can nurture your spirit privately through books, podcasts, prayer, meditation, or reflection. Even a few minutes a day of mindful prayer, walking in nature, or sitting in silence can instill peace and a sense of connection to something bigger. Over time, these practices cultivate a “daily spiritual experience”, feeling the presence of a higher power or a deep sense of peace. Some veterans find solace in reading spiritual literature, journaling about gratitude, or spending time in nature (which many describe as a spiritual experience of awe and calm).

  
  

• Meaningful Service: For some, spirituality is lived out by serving others. Volunteering, mentoring younger veterans, or being active in your community can give a profound sense of purpose. When you help someone else, you often heal yourself in the process. This aligns with spiritual principles found in many traditions (compassion, charity) and reinforces that your life matters. Feeling useful and needed is a powerful antidote to suicidal thoughts.

  
  

• Building a “Battle Buddy” Network for the Soul: Just as IW brings veterans together for humor and support, you can connect with others for spiritual support. This could mean finding a faith-based veterans group or simply having a buddy you discuss life’s big questions with. Sharing about spirituality, doubt, hope, and fear with trusted friends can deepen your understanding and lighten your burdens. Faith communities, veteran organizations (like here at IW), or online groups focused on spiritual growth can all be sources of fellowship. Remember, you are not alone on this journey.

  
  

A Hopeful Path Forward

Inspiration and strength can spring from the unlikeliest places, even from the spirit. At Irreverent Warriors, we’ve seen that a good laugh and a brotherly hug can go a long way for mental health. Now we encourage looking upward (or inward) for even more strength. The science is clear that nurturing your faith or spirituality is not just a “nice-to-have,” but can be life-saving. It’s associated with better mental health, less substance abuse, and dramatically lower suicide risk. For veterans scarred by war or loss, spirituality can help heal moral injuries and rekindle hope when it’s nearly extinguished.

No matter what you believe or where you are on your spiritual path, consider giving this aspect of wellness a chance. Explore, question, and find what resonates with you: be it attending a local veteran-friendly church, meditating each morning, or simply talking to the night sky. Embracing spirituality is a very personal journey… there is no right or wrong way to do it, except with an open mind and heart.

You have survived 100% of your worst days so far. There is a purpose for your life, and a community that cares about you. If embracing a higher power or a deeper spiritual life can help you see tomorrow, then lean into it. As one chaplain said, “The link between spirituality and healing is clear… Suicide prevention is everyone’s business and we are here to do everything we can to help.” In faith (whatever faith means to you), there is a wellspring of hope and resilience waiting for you.

You are never as alone as you feel, and there is always hope. Sometimes, that hope might just come from above. Stay with us… the world is better with you in it!!! :)

Sources:

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, From Science to Practice: Religion and Spirituality – A Suicide Risk and Protective Factor

• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health & JAMA Psychiatry – studies on religious service attendance and “deaths of despair”

• Rosmarin, D. (2023), Why religious belief provides a real buffer against suicide risk, Psyche magazine

• LA Times report on reduced suicide risk in women attending church (Healy, 2016)

• VA Houston “Empowering the Spirit” program for suicide prevention (Dyman, 2025)