Soldier Suicide Rate in Iraq Jumped

[Eye and Monkey]

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Army-Suicides.html

Published: March 25, 2004
Filed at 3:09 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A sudden increase in suicides among U.S. soldiers in Iraq last summer turned out to be a brief spike, but the overall suicide rate there last year was much higher than for the entire Army.

Those are among the conclusions of a mental health assessment team that met with soldiers in Iraq and Kuwait between August and October last year, according to officials familiar with the results.

The Army planned to publicly announce the team's findings and recommendations on Thursday.

There were at least 24 suicides among U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Kuwait last year, according to the Army's count. That number may increase because the circumstances of some other deaths are still in doubt.

[MarianJack]

1. Knowing the Way this Crew Works,...

,,,the suicides don't count as people who died.

[Mari333]

2. Yes, my stepson told me , basically

Get us out of here, hell on earth. Hes okay, he told me this morning he has some good friends there. Thank god. Might not write for a little while, they are changing one of his jobs. I think its all the reservists and guards troops being sent, any body they can throw into that hellhole, and then they get there, are kids, never seen combat, never seen what good old Unka Sam does in other parts of the world, and never seen the cruel and inhumane things that go on in wartime..havent been prepared for anything, really, who would be?
The things they have seen will change forever everything they see in life, and then top that off with the horror of leaving everything they love, and not really wanting to go , many of them, worries about their loved ones who are losing combat and vet pay, worries about losing their jobs and families left behind
and when it reaches a point where you are in such bad shape you just hurt so bad you would rather take your own life???
This better fucking come out someday and someone better take some fucking accountability for these kids.
http://www.bringthemhomenow.com

[BeHereNow]

3. My nephew says the same Mari-

He is in Afghanistan, actually just over the border.
Says they are covering up the true suicide rate.
Reports that the"non-hostile" death listings are suicides.
Many of the troops believe it is related to the vaccines.
That many have noted marked changes in some individuals
after the vaccines. Depression etc...more that just the
combat related stress, more like MARKED personality
changes. I am so angry at the cover up.
BHN

[Mari333]

4. (((nephew)))))

what assholes sent our loved ones there, the bastards deserve to be dragged out in chains, tarred and feathered, and locked up for life.
and they laugh all the way to the bank.
Give your nephew a hug from me when you can. please.

[BeHereNow]

5. Back at you (((Michael)))

That is your step-son's name isn't it?
My nephew is Robert.
He is DISGUSTED with the whole situation and
the military cover ups which he says everybody
knows are being ordered from the White House Whore Corp.
BHN

[Auntie Bush]

6. How come ALL the soldiers who are interviewed on TV

when they come home from Iraq are ALL so proud of the good old USA and what we are doing there? They are so proud to be giving the Iraq people Democracy and deterring terrorism and saving America from Saddam? From what I've seen and heard...many of them disapprove of Bush and US policy...How come we never hear from them? Would they be considered unpatriotic if they didn't agree with this administration? :shrug: naaaawww!!!! When will they be heard?

[UpInArms]

7. related article: Report Details Low Army Morale, Suicide in Iraq

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=4664618§ion=news

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. soldiers in Iraq were plagued by low morale, experienced spikes in suicides last July and November and lacked access to some medications sought by military mental-health specialists to treat emotional problems, Army experts reported on Thursday.

A 12-person Army Mental Health Advisory Team issued a 38-page report on issues faced by U.S. soldiers in Iraq, including suicide, combat stress and the availability of help from the Army. The team traveled to Iraq from August to October 2003 and interviewed almost 760 soldiers.

The report found a "significant proportion" of soldiers "experienced and reported behavioral health concerns, and that there was an unmet need for behavioral services."

Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. James Peake noted that the report focused on a period when U.S. soldiers faced a mounting insurgency and questions over the length of their deployment.

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