Army Suicides: Increasing as the War Goes On

First we learned in an Army Study that suicides among soldiers was at its highest peak in more than 20 years. Today, we find there was a 20 percent jump in suicides in the past year.
Reports the Associated Press:

More than a quarter of those -- about 34 -- did so while serving a tour of duty in Iraq, an increase from 27 in Iraq the previous year, according to the preliminary figures.

The report also showed an increase in the number of attempted suicides and self-injuries -- some 2,100 in 2007 compared to less than 1,500 the previous year and less than 500 in 2002.

The total of 121 suicides last year, if all are confirmed, would be double the 52 reported in 2001, before the Sept. 11 attacks prompted the Bush administration to launch its counter-terror war.

Let's be honest here, too. While the suicide rate among the military might not be too far off from the general population, the military has very stringent entrance screenings, to weed out those who have pre-existing mental conditions. Yes, some will get through, but the vast majority of troops have no suicidal tendencies or mental issues when they enter the service. For almost all of these suicide cases, it can be attributed to the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that took root when deployed.

This is an underreported cost of the war, and one which John McCain ought to address, as he ratchets up the winds of fighting this war without end, and starting new wars. Because whether you're for this war or against it, it's just simply a truth now that longer and repeated deployments is eating at the minds of our troops, and the help, or lack thereof, has been pathetic.

One very simple idea that would have helped relieve the mental burden of our troops (short of finding a way out of Iraq), and help them get the care that they need, is to give them substantial time off between deployments. Spend two years in Iraq, spend two years at home. And, on the homefront, aggressively test, treat, and monitor troops for mental injuries.

The bi-partisan Webb-Hagel "Dwell Time Amendment," which VoteVets.org has been leading the fight for, would go a long way towards providing much-needed relief for our troops. Sadly, John McCain opposed that amendment, too.

Even without dwell time, and a much deserved rest for our forces, we have got to be more diligent about mandatory and exhaustive screening of returning troops, and providing adequate care and monitoring.

As a decorated veteran, I know John McCain doesn't mean ill-will for our troops and veterans. But he and others who say they support the troops must address the crushing strain that they are putting our troops through. After all, how are we to defend America when many of our best and brightest troops keep taking their own lives?

Crossposted at VetVoice.com

Comments

[mouselion]

"...it's not how many you have, it's how you use them. ..." ~ Admiral Fallon about the surge.

[Berettasskeeter]

One of the largest contributors to veteran malaise after the Vietnam War, stemming from the Left's betrayel of South Vietnam, was antipathy towards them from that same Left, and by extension, the Government. Anyone who supports our troops and veterans can go to:
www.vetsforfreedom.org. This is an organization that wants to recognize vets for their contributions and sacrifices, not merely use them as political pawns, like Jon's organization.
Semper fi

[Liberal2]

Sorry, Mr. Soltz, I can't whip up sympathy until I know how soldiers are going to vote. Have soldiers been changing their party affilation from rethug or independent to democrat to show their opposition to rethug war-mongers like McCain and Romney?

The entire "We gotta stay in Iraq to honor those who have already died!" argument is nothing more than a WWI general ordering a third or fourth battalion up and out of the trench because others have died trying to reach enemy trench a hundred yards away.

[Berettasskeeter]

Jon, your support of the dwell-time amendment is either mistaken or craven. The effects of this amendment will take one of two forms: Either units will be bastardized by a constant in/output of people, reducing it's effectiveness dramatically, or; all fighting will have to stop as the country runs out of units to rotate into the battle, or units will stay in theater for the duration.
Remember, as a law, it will apply to future wars, of which you may approve!
Semper fi

[RAVEN13]

I hope that vetern's issues are covered in more
than just a question if that in tonight's de-
bate. It would be an extreme disservice if CNN
does not raise this issue with more than a glance.

[slow2]

WAR OF CHOICE; on the agenda; preemptive war; Bush's war; neocons's war.

This is OUR war.

What are WE doing to end it?

It is a hideous shame that our military families -- almost alone -- bear the brunt of this horrific Bush adventure.

What can do?

[RadioResearch]

Again, John, Thank you for bringing these veteran issues to the public attention (though, I must warn you, Billo and company will deny this and accuse you of being a traitor). Unfortunately, multiple combat tours lead to SEVERE PTSD and people with SEVERE PTSD are much more likely to have major depression and commit suicide. In fact, the suggestion by some that these are prexisting conditions merely means that the military is lowering its standards for troop strength. And even if these suicides were the result of preexisting mental conditions the military is still responsible for screening people before they enter combat so the point is moot. Moreover, the moral revulsion to combat is fairly universal among people and affects some more than others. Suicide is often the result of the anger, hostility and moral revulsion turned inward.

[oldgloryradio]

I am not surprised. As someone who went through another little police action in the early 70s I can't believe we are doing another. War is one thing, what we are doing is just using our kids for political means.

[realitytrumpsbull]

If I was holding a rifle in Iraq right now, under our colors, I'd be asking when they were going to impeach Dick Cheney. I think our military has been twisted and perverted and sand-bagged and otherwise molested to act as a financial conduit for ALL sorts of 'business', in a word, corrupted, and my morale wouldn't be the highest in the world, either.
I also think the people administrating our military either a) don't 'get it', or b) don't care, or c) possibly even secretly hate the military. I think they basically want to 'own' people, and I have to reiterate my 'hats off' to Lt. Watada, because, by god, there goes a man with Big Balls. He should make that his theme song, facing down The Mother Of All Bureaucracies. If only there were MORE men like him in uniform, maybe someone would have given
Cheney the reading-out he so richly deserves, along with pointed instructions on what to do with his company, and even offer to help him pack. Why 'bag' on Cheney? Well, 2 reasons, he's in charge of what passes for our national energy policy, and was still recieving monetary compensation from Halliburton up until 2006, if I read it correctly. That's a conflict of interest. I think any and ALL participants in our governmental processes should ponder that, and seek to police themselves from anything even vaguely resembling any such conflicts. If it's not air force contract lady, it's Uncle Dick and My Pet Oil Company.

I'm sticking with my position on the entire mess.
http://www.impeachbush.org
http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com
C'mon, Conyers, take Lt. Watada's fine, fine example, and grow some balls, here. Fire these guys.
Ron Paul 08!

[deminmo]

Veterans are still waiting a long time for
evaluations once they are back home. Add to
that financial problems, PTSD, relationship
issues, and just trying to refocus to a life
without having to look over your shoulder all
the time, I can imagine why a few just can't
handle it any more. How will troops cope with
knowing they will be in Iraq and Afghanistan
maybe as long as three tours? And a total of
ten more years.

[foxwise]

ask bush that question he send them in to those countrys to fight bush,s wars, bush couldent care less who dies over there or when returns to this country takes his life over here,bush has that satanic grin on his face, showing that monster enjoying every minute of these tragedys,what would bush do, if every solder in iraq, afghanistan, pacistan stop fighting this minute ,leave their posts and never fire another round, what would that monster come up with,

[rroy]

I have been in combat and found it to be a tremendously sad and very frightening experience.Sad because in the era that I saw some combat,though there were definate identities of the enemy because of their uniforms an the indentifiable battle lines and objectives,There was still the fact that people were killing each other,young people who were total strangers.
Frightening because I could have very easily been one of the casualties.
Compound these conditions with the fact that you are today also required to kill,brutalize and terrorize non combatants,you have no real way of identifying'the enemy",there are no really discernable battle lines or objectives,there is no real end in sight,and,from my perspective,I don't see how I could avoid becomming an absolute beast,and,with my sensativities,in a private moment,during a fit of conscience,not going berzerk,and blowing my brains out.
Just another example of the many tragedies created by blundering Neocon idiots.

[Pdubya]

Look to Dr. Ron Paul's record for veteran affairs and support. No one comes close to his understanding of taking care of our veterans.

peace

former sf cpt

[hopeless277]

The president doesn't care. The congress doesn't care. The media doesn't care. The candidates don't care. The public doesn't care. And frankly, because there is nothing I can do about it, I don't care. Sorry.