Army Suicides Hit Highest Level Since '93

[Kadie]

Army Suicides Hit Highest Level Since '93

By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer
44 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - The number of U.S. Army soldiers who took their own lives increased last year to the highest total since 1993, despite a growing effort by the Army to detect and prevent suicides.

In 2005, a total of 83 soldiers committed suicide, compared with 67 in 2004, and 60 in 2003 — the year the U.S. invaded Iraq. Four other deaths in 2005 are being investigated as possible suicides but have not yet been confirmed. The totals include active duty Army soldiers and deployed National Guard and Reserve troops.

"Although we are not alarmed by the slight increase, we do take suicide prevention very seriously," said Army spokesman Col. Joseph Curtin.

"We have increased the number of combat stress teams, increased suicide prevention and training, and we are working very aggressively to change the culture so that soldiers feel comfortable coming forward with their personal problems in a culture where historically admitting mental health issues was frowned upon," Curtin said.

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060421/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/army_suicides_1

[peacebird]

1. what is the peacetime average? and the average during Vietnam?

anyone know?

[Ian David]

2. Don't they know that Republicans "Support Our Troops"

If they were SUPPOSED to commit suicide, they'd be asked to deliver unusably contaminated fuel in an un-armored convoy along Iraq's most dangerous road.

What are we doing to our soldiers!?!?!

[oasis]

3. Rummy has turned our military into an assortment of head cases. His

departure would more than likely be a relief.