High Suicide Rate For Iraq War GIs

[dArKeR]

The Pentagon counts at least 22 GI suicides in the Iraq conflict. CBS's Bob McNamara reports the number could be much higher. More than 600 U.S. soldiers have been evacuated from Iraq for psychiatric reasons.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/01/29/eveningnews/main596755.shtml

[Emillereid]

1. I posted a similar story in discussion on 1/25 -- it's heartbreaking.

Stress epidemic strikes American forces in Iraq


The war's over, but the suicide rate is high and the army is riddled with acute psychiatric problems. Peter Beaumont reports

Sunday January 25, 2004
The Observer

Up to one in five of the American military personnel in Iraq will suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, say senior forces' medical staff dealing with the psychiatric fallout of the war.

This revelation follows the disclosure last month that more than 600 US servicemen and women have been evacuated from the country for psychiatric reasons since the conflict started last March.

At least 22 US soldiers have killed themselves - a rate considered abnormally high - mostly since President George Bush declared an end to major combat on 1 May last year, These suicides have led to a high-level Department of Defence investigation, details of which will be disclosed in the next few weeks.

Although the overall suicide rate is running at an average of 13.5 per 100,000 troops, compared with a US army average of 10.5 to 11 per 100,000 in recent years, the incidence of the vast majority of suicides in the period after 1 May is statistically significant, accounting for about 7 per cent of all service deaths in Iraq.....more ,,more

I wonder how many of these soldiers can see through all the lies and deceptions and realize that they've been duped and used by the Bushits war for oil and power. Imagine believing you're involved in some noble purpose, only to find that you're stuck in a nightmare situation over which you have little control. Unlike the invasion, when the Americans had the overwhelming military advantage from every conceivable angle and were flying high on their mission (to save us from Hussein's WMDs), now they're living day and night on edge in hostile territory among people who hate and despise and try to kill them. It's a no win situation. Just wish these guys would turn their anger toward those responsible for putting them inside this mess instead of taking it out of themselves.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1130774,00.html

[PartyPooper]

2. And, what is the casualty rate for those who come home?

These troops were misled and lied to! They've all been put through hell by * and his evil cronies!

Look at all of the innocent Iraqi lives lost, too!

:grr:

[Mari333]

3. This terrifies me.

everyday. It will terrify me for a year or more. Until my stepson comes home safe. He finally called tonight. He sounded very very sad.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

4. How many more attempted suicides?

We won't hear about them...