Community | February 01, 2009 | 19 comments

US army suicides hit record high

source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7859797.stm

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The rate of suicides among soldiers in the US army has risen to a record level for the second year in a row.

The army said there were 128 confirmed suicides in 2008, with a further 15 deaths still under investigation.

Military officials said they did not know why the number has kept increasing but that the stress of conflicts overseas had had a significant impact.

The army has said it is committed to addressing the issue and has introduced training to raise awareness.

"This is a challenge of the highest order for us," said US Army Secretary Pete Geren.
"Why do the numbers keep going up? We cannot tell you. But we can tell you that across the army, we're committed to doing everything we can to address the problem."

About 35% of the suicides were of soldiers who had never been deployed, while 30% were soldiers who were on active service - three quarters of them on their first tour of duty.

Another 35% took place after deployment, mostly more than a year after the soldier had returned home.

The rise means that the military suicide rate is proportionally higher than the rate among American civilians for the first time.

General Peter Chiarelli, vice chief of the army, said he had "no doubt" that the stress of the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan was a factor in the rising suicide rates.

He said that long tours of duty and the high pressure of being in combat zones was putting a strain on service personnel and their families.

The US military said it has introduced training to make soldiers more aware of suicidal behaviour in themselves and others, and to reduce the stigma of seeking help.

It has also launched a long-term research programme into the issue, in conjunction with the National Institute of Mental Health.
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19 comments // US army suicides hit record high

  • mahdosad
    • 0
      mahdosad  

    • who would not attempt suicide , if it feels like a wrong thing to ocupy a country and kill it's people for nothing more than defending their home land, are we trying to play isreal in iraq? what we are looking for WMD ? HA

    • 3 years ago
  • PJSEE36
  • mahdosad
    • 0
      mahdosad  
    • mahdosad:

      PJEE36 and you don't have enough inteligence to think of just a few words to respond to me , and hide behind your ignorant. this time tell somebody else respond for you , you look better that way.

    • 3 years ago
  • mutedmajority
  • mahdosad
  • dirtyemowords
    • 0
      dirtyemowords  

    • I don't know why any intelligent person would sign up to the military, they don't care about their soldiers and you have to fight wars ill-equipped and under trained, all the while the people back home never wanted you to go to war in the first place.

    • 3 years ago
  • joshuaheller
    • 0
      joshuaheller  
    • Image

    • They say great minds think alike and it seems someone has beaten you to the punch with this story. Don’t worry you can still join in with the conversation on Current by following the link above.

      Want to know how you can avoid adding the same story as someone else? Check out the blog post on duplicated stories here: http://tinyurl.com/bm4wsn

      Think we’ve made a mistake? We’re all human so it can happen, if you think it has drop us a mail to see if we can help: yourfriends@current.com

    • 3 years ago
  • PJSEE36
    • 0
      PJSEE36  

    • the life in the US just doesnt seem to have any meaning, after combat. You feel as if you have what you were meant to do in your life. the only thing that heals these wounds is time. In a way you feel like you did something that is wrong or unforgiveable, it takes a lot of support from fellow vets, and people who can understand what you are going through. at home lifes problems dont really seem like shit at first, then come the family problems(they dont understand the depression),then come the relationship problems, then come the drinking problems, then come the legal problems, then it just all gets overwhelming, and there is no immediate help. it is a long road to recovery,after combat. to all vets no matter how bad it gets, you know it has been worse, so keep your head up and take these days minute by minute if you have to. SOT-----------------------P

    • 3 years ago
  • barbara3d
    • 0
      barbara3d  
    • PJSEE36:

      When the mind contains images and your ability to suppress them is impaired, I cannot even imagine the horror that is felt. I would hope by Now we would have counseling for those that return home for as long as they need it because some people are more sensitive (NOT a bad way) and some are able to suppress the memories and images at least for a while. Then one day Pandora's box explodes in your head and ...well you put your own ending here.

    • 3 years ago
  • mahdosad
  • petarro
    • 0
      petarro  

    • Who wouldn't suicide if you are battling for your country after it was attacked and then "your people" give your back and support nothing of what they do in Iraq or Afghanistan?

    • 3 years ago
  • hydrokat
    • 0
      hydrokat  

    • After the close of Vietnam it was estimated that there were approximately 65,000 Americans killed. The Home score for Vets committing suicide were approx. 65,000. These numbers are still being reflected the same with the Wars in the Middle East. It's a surprising coincidence. The numbers here do not reflect those that have killed themselves in Motorcycle accidents. For Vets to come Home and kill themselves is a startling and troubling issue that the V.A. is working to respond to. Help Our Heroes! Do not forget them.

    • 3 years ago
  • clayjj05
    • 0
      clayjj05 [removed]  

    • 128 people killed themselves out of the entire army. Im sure if you took a count of one million dentist there would be at least 128 people who killed themselves.

    • 3 years ago
  • mahdosad
    • 0
      mahdosad  
    • clayjj05:

      for all of you who don't care, and basically feel the other people well being is not their problem i should say shame on you , have you ever lived in a war zoone? have you ever bother to think that fears of being killed and killing other people specially the one who do not want us in their country in the first place it is so damn hard , some people faint when they see blood and some get sick when they see a body , can you imagine to be orderd to kill 24 hours and 7 days a week, and then realise opsss , guess what i should not be here and the reason of me being there (wmd)
      never exist , and anybody i killed by now it is the direct reason of selfishness and oil huger, woudn't you kill yourself?

    • 3 years ago
  • barbara3d
  • Kepano
  • Kepano
  • barbara3d
    • 0
      barbara3d  
    • Kepano:

      It bares seeing again, over and over. Its not "news" ...
      it is a living, breathing, man who appears to be in sorrow.

      America has a disease called Amnesia. We forget things so quickly. Thats how we make the same mistakes over and over.

      God bless our military men and women who have sacrificed so much for so little.

    • 3 years ago
  • barbara3d
    • 0
      barbara3d  

    • I guess the Army thinks they are just more "collateral damage". This is horrible. I read a while back that several "Recruiters" committed suicide because they were treated like failures by their supervisors when they could not get the Army's numbers up. I am sure there have not been people in line to be in the ground force in Iraq. They felt like they would also be a disgrace if discharged . That hurts.

    • 3 years ago
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