Post-War Veteran Suicides May Exceed Combat Deaths: U.S.

The number of suicides among veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan may exceed the combat death toll because of inadequate mental health care, the U.S. government's top psychiatric researcher said.

Community mental health centers, hobbled by financial limits, haven't provided enough scientifically sound care, especially in rural areas, said Thomas Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland. He briefed reporters today at the American Psychiatric Association's annual meeting in Washington.

Insel echoed a Rand Corporation study published last month that found about 20 percent of returning U.S. soldiers have post- traumatic stress disorder or depression, and only half of them receive treatment. About 1.6 million U.S. troops have fought in the two wars since October 2001, the report said. About 4,560 soldiers had died in the conflicts as of today, the Defense Department reported on its Web site.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[MikeDu]

Sunday, 13 January, 2002, 15:17 GMT:

"More veterans of the Falklands War have killed themselves in the years since the 1982 conflict ended than died during hostilities, according to a veterans support group. The South Atlantic Medal Association say they are "almost certain" the suicide toll is greater than 255 - the number of men killed in the war. The association estimates the total could be 264, according to a report in the Mail on Sunday. The stiff upper lip brigade ... are just making things worse by ignoring the problem
Co-founder Denzil Connick blamed the suicide rate on the "stiff upper lip brigade" and a lack of resources to tackle Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The ex-paratrooper, who lost a leg in the Falklands, said: "Nobody knows the official figures for suicides - that is one of the problems. But we know for sure we have lost an average of 10 veterans per year since the conflict ended. That makes 200 veterans who have committed suicide and that is bound to be a conservative estimate. I am almost certain there will be dozens more that we do not know about and the figure is likely to be more than 255."

[gcallaghan]

But, but, but, Laura said George suffers most of all.

[getoffmedz]

Want more insanity and needless death?

Vote for John McCain.

[Fightnmad]

This article sickens me to no end.

America has always treated her mentally ill abysmally. For decades, nearly every single insurance company does higher co-pays and max 50% reimbursements, as if mental disease is HALF as worthy of treatment as organic ones, and that the mentally ill are half as worthy human beings. When budget cuts occur, the first thing to be tanked is care and treatment for those suffering from these neurobiological diseases. Thousands live on the streets. Thousands enter the penal system for crimes committed when insane. Society often treats those with mental illnesses, as though they raised a hand to heaven and shouted, "Pick me, God! Pick ME!" There are no words to describe the hell in which these people, and their families, live.

Here is yet another heinous crime committed by the government against the People, and is especially evil because our troops cannot speak for themselves. They are treated like waste- used up, then discarded... F*ck yes, our returning troops suffer from depression. They survive the horrors of war, and then must run the government gauntlet for UNSEEN wounds. Many lack the strength. Many suffer from shame and hopelessness. This is a deadly combination.

If I ever won the lottery jackpot, I would devote my life fighting 2 or 3 major societal issues, and fighting for care and treatment for the mentally ill, is one. Until then, I will talk and teach and write, to educate all who will listen.

[tbone99]

borrowed from another poster--- piul05 See Profile I'm a Fan of piul05

" To put it simply, America feels it has the right to threaten other countries - it can be judge, jury and executioner. There is a love affair with war because it's played out on someone else's soil. This cavalier rethoric is allowed because it's not American cities and towns that would feel the devastating effects of death and destruction.

It's no wonder that when American soldiers come back home - the hapless cannon fodder of such national delusion - they feel they don't belong. War was not supposed to be soul destroying - that is not what the cinema and TV shows us anyway; it was supposed to be about glory, righteous actions of the divine mandate kind; it was supposed to be about order and happy endings. But instead, they can't wash off the stench of burnt flesh and human excrement; they can't shake off the images of men turned into beasts, they can't block off the primal screams of pain and despair, or the requiem played by bombs, bullets and mortars.

While this macabre episode is played out domestically with the same detachment as a discussion about an infestation of termites, a horrified planet feels it's high time America were put on quarantine."

And may I add, we need to STOP GIVING OUR CHILDREN THIS KOOL-AID!

[timothe]

U.S. MILITARY DEATHS BELOW 26-YEAR AVERAGE
Despite suffering 4,000 deaths in Iraq, annual U.S. military casualties overall during the first six years of the Bush administration are well below the average for the 26-year period beginning in 1980.
Even in 2007, the deadliest year of the Iraq campaign, U.S. troop fatalities around the world, including Afghanistan, were lower than the first nine years of the study -- when the Cold War was still raging in a time of relative peace:
In 2007, a total of 1,942 U.S. military personnel were killed in all causes, including accidents, hostile action, homicides, illnesses, suicides, etc.
That compares to 2,392 in 1980, the last year of President Jimmy Carter's administration.
In fact, twice as many U.S. military personnel were killed in accidents in that one year than were killed in hostile actions in any year of the Bush administration.
Despite a major increase in deaths due to hostile actions beginning in 2003 with the advent of the Iraq war, the annual toll on U.S. troops did not skyrocket above peacetime norms, according to the Department of Defense. For instance, in 1993, the first year of the peacetime Clinton administration, 1,293 U.S. servicemen lost their lives -- just 649 fewer than in 2005, the hottest year of the Iraq war.

All military deaths due to the war are tragic. I shudder to think that my nephew could be next. But let's have some perspective here.

[HatingTheGame]

Yeah the good thing is that along with ways of killing people ways of healing (or stitching people together physically, albeit not mentally as this article shows) has also improved -- compare military deaths in Gettysburgh to WWII to Vietnam.

However, what that means is the more people are mangled, missing limbs, on prosthetics, vegetables, paralysed, and hooked to machines to keep them alive.

Yet, they are not dead, they are alive.

The statistics you quote may be right, but I think it misses the true tragedy of war -- living with its aftermath. The pain, the shame, the sorrow, and the guilt --- perhaps, sometimes, wishing you were dead instead.

[spec4F]

Wat to cherry pick numbers there TIMMA!

Actual numbers from snopes:http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/deaths.asp

Read the correct numbers at the bottom. Numbers went down every year in the Clinton administration, probably due to the fact of down sizing. St. Ronnie Rayguns numbers are abismal. :(

[tbone99]

Disposable planet , disposable people, disposable laws.

The Repugs in action.

[JohnJames]

Pff. Those guys in the military are the little people. Who cares what happens to them. Obviously they're losers for ending up there in the first place. People like us have other priorities.

[MissingAmerica]

This is such a sad situation, and certainly another area of this insane war which Bush never even thought about. The in-and-out scenario he pictured when he decided to conquer a foreign country has proven to be devastating on all of humanity, and most certainly our troops and their families. Bush has sent these brave people to die for this country; he should have prepared to take care of them on the slight chance that they would live.

Having used his family and money to escape serving in a war zone, he has no idea what it is to suffer the hardships associated with the inhumanity of war. He prefers to convert democracy to a barbaric culture, as our troops give up their lives for democracy.

It is time to end this insane bloodshed and bring our troops home. Before Bush, we were all about humanitarian efforts, and I pray I live to see the day when America earns back that respect which we have lost through this administration's madness. We must impeach. Sadly, we must do so through a Congress that has forgotten this option.

God bless these brave souls for their sacrifice. Let's push Congress to help those who survive Bush's war.

[fact finder]

Missinf America; Bush thought about it for a miicro second then pi76ed it of . This person is unspeakable evil. He does not care about any thing but what he and the other demons want.

[JohnJames]

Well, some blame ultimatly rests on the people - the individual men and women - willing to fight this war. You didn't have to have a doctorate in International Relations to recognize that this war was trumped up. I spoke up against it from the start. We were a small minority and were ridiculed as un- American wimps. 80% of Americans cheered on this war when it began. We couldn't wait. Ultimately we have only ourselves to blame if we claim to think of ourselves as a free people and not sheep led by a Commander in Chief.

[tbone99]

THANK YOU JJ! it is about time we realize the power of the soldiers to shut this thing down right now.Far too few have spoken out against this illegal war or revealed the atrocities & actually meriting the word hero .When they have soldiers are called heroes for just enlisting ,that is wrong, especially considering that we are not recruiting felons.The word hero loses its meaning when used in such a pedestrian way....

Activism , the alternative to suicide.

[tbone99]

, meant to say--- considering that we are now recruiting felons

[kellygrrrl]

and my own mother sent me a little email yesterday praising Cindy McCain, what a great asset she will be to our country, how it really is a two-for-one deal.

After I pulled myself together, I wrote back to her and sent her some links about Cindy and told her I understand she hasn't heard all these negatives about Cindy on the teevee since no MSM will cover it.

She said, "boy, so much for you not spreading gossip or smearing spouse."

I actually just sat there and cried.

It is mind-blowing. Members of my own family are actually seemingly A-OK with what is going on.

[fact finder]

Kellygrrl. I fell for you. Some members of my family including my Mother think that Bush is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Ignorance Knows no boundries or familial ties .Those who reject facts and/ or knowledge are to be pitied. But do not quite loving them. God bless you.

[Rog49Thomas]

An earlier poster had asserted that the study proved nothing and that depresssion rates among servicemen mirrored those in the general population.

Not so long ago, a famous guy said "Seek truth from facts". No less true today than then.

Let"s look at some data.

http://oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k6nsduh/2k6results.cfm#Fig8-5

About 80% down on this page you"ll find US Govt stats on the percentage of all US adults 18 or older who have had one major depressive episode (MDE) during a calendar year. Stats are 7.6% (2006), 8% (2005) and 7.3% (2004) .

You can find the 500 page Rand Study referred to at http://rand.org/pubs/monographs/2008/RAND_MG720.pdf

As per the study, it is focused on "post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, and traumatic brain injury". (traumatic brain injury=TBI)

From the Key Findings section of the study

"Among OEF/OIF veterans, rates of PTSD, major depression, and probable TBI are relatively high, particularly when compared with the general U.S. civilian population."

"As a group, the veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq are predominantly young, healthy, and productive members of society. However, Summary xxxiii about a third are currently affected by PTSD or depression, or report exposure to a possible TBI while deployed." (Note the shift here is to "depression" versus "major depression" and inclusion of a possible TBI.)

[fact finder]

Kellgrrrl' That was supposed to be feel not fell. My boo boo.I did not proof read before posting.

[Kalima]

Should this not be the most important aspect of returning troop. You send out kids
aged between 18 or 30 years of age, who witness or participate in the things we
can only have nightmares about. They come home and apart from family members,
who is there for them?
Personally, I think it's a disgrace, that this was not thought about at any level, before
the invasion. People are like disposable tissues?

[JohnIII]

Coming back to civilian life is a huge adjustment. When I cam back from the first Gulf War I definitely had an edge. And that war wasn't nearly as intense as this war. I also saw the same thing from my father after Vietnam. He was wounded there and had a very hard time adjusting.

The problem is that civilians generally don't have a clue as to what war veterans have been through.
They're back here worrying about sales numbers acting like it's life and death. Imagine getting wounded in a war and then coming back to some menial job and having to deal with some idiot manager that has never left his backyard.

And then you realize that's who you were fighting for. Disheartening to say the least.

[txgal44]

Thank you so much for your service.

[Kalima]

Although I can not ever know what you have been through or what you have seen,
I will however be proud to say that I can share in your pain at the the confusion
within the people who for one reason or another, have not served. I am not
American but I thank you anyway.

[tbone99]

Yeah, thanks for protecting our oil and little ol' Kuwait

By 1952, Kuwait became the largest exporter of oil in the Persian Gulf. Kuwait heavily funded Iraq's eight year-long war with Iran. Prior to 2005, only 15% of the Kuwaiti citizen population was allowed to vote.

If someone doesn't protect dictatorships ,who will?

[JohnIII]

No problem tbone.

That really wasn't the point of my comment though.
I was trying to explain what it was like to come back into the civilian world.

Do you use oil? Or do you ride horseback or something?

[JohnIII]

I appreciate your response.

[bobo209]

Part three.


In April 2008, the Bush Administration named Petraeus as head of the US Central Command, overseeing the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia and the reast of the Horn of Africa. Petraeus replaced Navy Admiral William Fallon who was forced to resign his command by the White House and the Zioncons over his opposition to their war plans against Iran. Even prior to his retirement Fallon had expressed his contempt for Petraeus" shameful truckling to the Zionists in Northern Iraq and the Bush " Know Nothings" in charge of Iraq and Iran policy planning. It is clear that Petraeus ensured his promotion on April 16, 2008, through his senate testimony, one week earlier (April 8-9, 2008) with his bellicose speech implicating Iran in the fighting deaths of US troops in Iraq. With the purge and intimidation of military officials not willing to act as White House/Zionist poodles, Petraeus had few competitors. Petraeus" promotion to the top military post, just days after his senate testimony pointing to war with Iran could not be attributed to his( failed) military performance, but to his slavish adherence to Bush"s and Israel"s push for heightened confrontation with Iran. Blaming Iran for his failed military policies served a double purpose " it covered up his incompetence and it secured the support of leading Zionist Senators like Joseph Lieberman.

[bobo209]

When President Bush appointed General David Petraeus Commander (head) of the Multinational Forces in Iraq, his appointment was hailed by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post as a brilliant decision: A general of impeccable academic and battlefield credentials and a warrior and counter-insurgency (terrorist) intellectual. The media and the President, the Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and Congress, described his appointment as "America"s last best hope for salvation in Iraq". Senator Hilary Clinton joined the chorus of pro-war politicians in praise and support of Petraeus" "professionalism and war record" in Northern Iraq. In contrast, Admiral William Fallon, his predecessor and former commander, had called Petraeus" briefings "a piece of brown-nosing chicken shit".



In theory and strategy, in pursuit of defeating the Iraqi resistance, General Petraeus was a disastrous failure, an outcome predictable form the very nature of his appointment and his flawed wartime reputation.



In the first instance Petraeus was a political appointment. He was one of the few high military officials who shared Bush and the Zioncons" assessment that the "war could be won". Petraeus argued that his experience in Northern Iraq were replicable throughout the rest of the country. Moreover Petraeus, unlike most military analysts, was willing to ignore the heavy costs of multiple prolonged tours of duty on US troops. Petraeus willingness to ignore the larger costs of prolonged military engagement in Iraq has weakened the capacity of the US to sustain its world-wide imperial interests.

[bobo209]

General Petraeus: Zionism"s Military Poodle
From Surge to Purge to Dirge


President Ahmadinejad and other Iranian leaders promised to end their support for the special groups but the nefarious activities of the Quds Force have continued."

Senator Joseph Lieberman: "Is it fair to say that the Iranian-backed special groups are responsible for the murder of hundreds of American soldiers and thousands of Iraqi soldiers and civilians?" General Petraeus: "It certainly is¦That is correct."
General Petraeus testimony to the US Senate, April 8-9, 2008.

The Israeli flag is proudly displayed above the Sacred Ark alongside the American flag¦"( in an orthodox synagogue in wealthy Georgetown, Washington DC. The entrance fee to the synagogue is $1000 for a single holiday.) "On each Sabbath the prayers include the benediction for the Israeli Jewish soldiers and the prayer for the welfare of the Israeli government and its officials. Many Jewish American Administration pray there. They not only don"t try to conceal their religious affiliation, but go to great lengths to demonstrate their Judaism since it may help their careers greatly. The enormous Jewish influence in Washington is not limited to the government. In the Washingtonian, medias a very significant part of the most important personages and of the presenters of the most popular programs on the TV are warm Jews¦and let us not forget,in this context, the Jewish predominance in the Washingtonian academic institutions."

Avinoam Bar-Yosef (the Israeli daily newspaper) Ma"riv September 2, 1994

[mnnice]

little israel - washington.Time for some balls. impeach then get a real commision to investigate 9/11.Heads will roll.

[Nyland8]

The only ones trashing our troops are the party-before-country, neo-conned minions of the reich-wing. Our troops should be back on our shores and reunited with their families ASAP. Stupid numbers conflating depression rates with suicide rates reveal your posts to be meaningless spin.

"The Hartford Courant, citing records obtained under the federal Freedom of Information Act and more than 100 interviews of families and military personnel, reported numerous cases in which the military failed to follow its own regulations in screening, treating and evacuating mentally unfit troops from Iraq. ¦ Twenty-two U.S. troops committed suicide in Iraq last year, accounting for nearly one in five of all non-combat deaths and was the highest suicide rate since the war started, the newspaper said.

Some service members who committed suicide in 2004 and 2005 were kept on duty despite clear signs of mental distress, sometimes after being prescribed antidepressants with little or no mental health counseling or monitoring. Those findings conflict with regulations adopted last year by the Army that caution against the use of antidepressants for "extended deployments".

"I can"t imagine something more irresponsible than putting a soldier suffering from stress on (antidepressants), when you know these drugs can cause people to become suicidal and homicidal," said Vera Sharav, president of the Alliance for Human Research Protection. "You"re creating chemically activated time bombs."

8

[Jitsuryoku]

Yesterday, when I pointed out (via e-mail) to a former senior manager (white/male/republican) that Iraq had nothing to do with September 11 and our troops are being abused, I was told to wake up and smell the roses. That Al Quaeda was a horrible regime responsible for beheadings, child suicide bombers and inhuman abuses against women.

He then went on to tell me that I should kiss the ground that I walk on; that I was an ungrateful citizen and shame on me for not appreciating having the right to live in a country where I can criticize the government without repercussion.

He ended the conversation by saying that people like me would have a totally different point of view if we had lost loved ones in the 911 tragedy.

And, as for the Presidential election, he was going to write in his vote for Harry Truman!! (Did I forget to mention that he is decades older than me?)

I wanted to reply back to him, "But, Iraq had nothing to do with September 11." But, I didn't because even waste my breath.

I'm so frustrated, it's literally making me ill.

[mnnice]

Wake up, bush did 9/11as a precurser to start this illegal war. (google patriots question 9/11) There are people in washington who need to be in jail.

[bluesnot]

Don't ever let ANYONE tell you that you are less of a citizen for speaking out. EVER!

Instead of trying to convince him, you should have suggested that he do more for his country like get educated instead of listening to the trash that right wing radio and TV feed him.

[utd]

1. I tried pinning down one of our state legislators at a county democratic convention a couple weeks ago about this. He was supposedly "the guy who is doing stuff" according to our veterans caucus. I was the only non Vietnam/ Korea vet in the room. I was the only person in the room who even knew anyone still on active duty. I know those guys went through their own kinds of hell, and some still do. Trying to explain to them or our state Senator seemed like I was talking to a brick wall though. They are still fighting about getting Vietnam vets off the streets. They don't get that war has changed a bit, it's faster and longer at the same time, guys don't get to go home after a tour or two any more, the weapons have gotten more primitive from our enemies, and more advanced from our friends. Our statey tried running me in linguistical circles, fucking cock sucker wouldn't give me a strait answer to save his life. I told him that if we don't address my friends who are coming home quickly and the first time they ask for sure with better social services and get them hooked on things like school vs drugs and drinking right away we are just going to be dealing with this problem for the next 30 years. "Well it's the republicans" he tells me. No shit, you don't say.

[utd]

2. I wonder if he has ever had to rush over to a military buddies house to keep him from killing his wife because his head was so screwed up he couldn't tell who she was? I'm guessing no. I told him a little help in the education department would help worlds too. He told me about the GI Bill, mumbled something about returning soldiers not being able to concentrate enough for school and I almost knocked him the fuck out at that point. Oh and if we die in combat in our state