AP: Army suicide rates highest since 1980

The Associated Press reported on January 29, 2009 that at least 128 U.S. Army troops committed suicide in 2008, the highest number recorded since the Army began keeping suicide statistics in 1980. The number may even be higher; at least 15 additional suspicious deaths are under investigation which could be ruled suicide. Hope by Ahmed Al-Shukaili of Muscat, Oman courtesy stock.Xchng

The new data surpasses recent numbers:

• In 2006, 102 Army troops committed suicide
• In 2007, 115 Army troops committed suicide
• The current members calculate to a suicide rate of 20.2 per every 100,000 soldiers
• In 2006, the suicide rate among male veterans aged 18-29 was 46 per every 1000,000 — more than double the current active duty suicide rate
• Yearly increases in the suicide rate have been recorded since 2004

Based on numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Veterans Affairs, which tracks suicides of veterans as well as active duty troops, has estimated that as many as 18 veterans a day take their own lives.

To combat this life-or-death situation, the Army is conducting a stand-down for one month beginning February 15th in which all soldiers will be taught how to recognize suicidal behavior and intervene at a one-to-one level if they think someone they know is suicidal.

The Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN) USA offers two downloadable action cards that list warning signs and risk factors for suicide. They have also just released a brochure especially for military families. I offer links to those documents here:

• Download PDF: Suicide Prevention for Military Families: What You Need to Know about Warning Signs and Getting Help
• Download PDF: Warning Signs of Suicide
• Download PDF: Risk Factors for Suicide

 I have mentioned many times here in this blog that I lost a dear friend and ex-Special Forces warrior to suicide which I believe was a result of his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I don’t know if Robin would have sought help if it had been available, but I know he looked everywhere for help when he was alive, and if his beloved corps had offered it to him he would have taken it without question. Help has to come from the warriors. They have to take care of their own. Or more and more, and more and more, and more and more, will end up like my friend Robin did: with their brains blown out on the wall behind them.