Two post-Iraq suicides not listed by Army (Mental Illness among Vets)

[psychopomp]

UPI

By Mark Benjamin
United Press International
Published 1/20/2004 2:25 PM

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- A soldier who served in Iraq apparently hung himself with a bedsheet last week at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, but the Pentagon did not count that death two days later when it announced "a very small increase" in the suicide rate from Operation Iraqi Freedom.

It also did not count an Operation Iraqi Freedom soldier who apparently committed suicide at the same military hospital last July. The Pentagon said it is not counting suicides among troops who killed themselves after they left Iraq.

A veterans' advocate questioned that decision.

"I want to know why stateside suicides are not counted in the total number of suicides reported by the Department of Defense," said Steve Robinson, executive director of the National Gulf War Resource Center and a former Army Ranger.

Robinson said he fears an epidemic of mental problems among troops who have served in the war. "There appears to be a significant increase in both suicides and post-traumatic stress disorder," Robinson said.

Robinson is set to testify Wednesday before a House Armed Services Committee panel on that issue and other health problems facing U.S. troops. Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. James B. Peake is also scheduled to testify.

-more

I guess it is to be expected, but it is shocking and sad nonetheless. This is war's reality that Dumbya, Dick and co. do not want the public to see.

[mopinko]

1. chickenhawks

don't know anyting about it themselves, either.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. A bigger question:

How many young men with a history of mental illness are entering the Army? And don't say they don't qualify. They're poor, their families don't know what to do with them anymore once they become legal adults and the military seems to be the answer -- or is it just the final solution?

[MountainLaurel]

3. Great point, Backlash.

Sad, but most likely true.