Army Soldier Suicides At Record High
Military Looks at Warning Signs Stigma Risk Factors and Prevention
Feb 6, 2009
According to the U.S. Army, 128 soldiers killed themselves in 2008. Another 15 cases were believed to be suicides. The figures include active duty, National Guard and reserve troops. The number of suicides among soldiers in 2008 was the highest on record for the Pentagon, which began keeping track of the rate 28 years ago.
The beginning of 2009 isn’t looking much better. The Army said 24 soldiers are suspected to have committed suicide in January alone. That’s six times as many soldier suicides recorded in January 2008.
If all of the deaths are confirmed to be suicides, it means more soldiers died by their own hand than those who died in combat in January. The Pentagon reported 16 American soldiers died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in January.
Who Commits Suicide
The military has identified common threads as to who commits suicide. The Army says soldiers are at greatest risk if they:
- are men between the ages of 20 and 24
- are members of the enlisted ranks
- are African Americans (highest risk)
- are Caucasians (second highest risk)
- have a troubled marriage or who are going through a separation or divorce
- suffered a recent loss or catastrophic event
- have legal and/or financial issues
- have a serious change in physical health
- suffered an injury
- are getting ready for a new deployment or assignment
- abuse alcohol or drugs
- suffer from depression
- suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD
Warning Signs
Studies show that 80 percent of people who commit or attempt suicide exhibit warning signs.
You can save a life by following some advice:
- if someone talks about suicide, take it seriously
- encourage the person to get help from his physician or hospital
- call 911 if the person is threatening to commit suicide
- be suspicious if the person is giving away possessions
The Stigma of Asking for Help Is Changing
Many soldiers don’t ask for help for emotional problems or mental illness because they fear they will appear weak and will fail to advance in their Army careers.
However, the military is taking steps to change the stigma attached to mental and emotional health issues.
"While we are warriors, we are also all human beings. Stress caused by lengthy deployments and combat is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign that we are human. If you feel such stress, do not hesitate to talk to your chain of command, your chaplain, or a medical expert," General David H. Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command, wrote in May 2007.
The military is working with the National Institute of Mental Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs to help the Army reduce the rate of suicides and increase awareness and understanding of suicide prevention.
The five-year collaboration is the largest research initiative on suicide ever conducted in the civilian and military communities.
According to the NIMH, the benefits of the study will go beyond the Army by promoting understanding of suicide throughout the U.S. The results could lead to better prevention programs for both soldiers and civilians.
Every year, an average of 30,000 Americans die by suicide.
