[DEBATE] : US army suicides hit record high

[Miles Teg]

 BBC NEWS
US army suicides hit record high

The rate of suicides among soldiers in the US army has risen to a record 
level for the second year in a row.

The army said there were 128 confirmed suicides in 2008, with a further 
15 deaths still under investigation.

Military officials said they did not know why the number has kept 
increasing but that the stress of conflicts overseas had had a 
significant impact.

The army has said it is committed to addressing the issue and has 
introduced training to raise awareness.

"This is a challenge of the highest order for us," said US Army 
Secretary Pete Geren.

"Why do the numbers keep going up? We cannot tell you. But we can tell 
you that across the army, we're committed to doing everything we can to 
address the problem."

Conflict stress

About 35% of the suicides were of soldiers who had never been deployed, 
while 30% were soldiers who were on active service - three quarters of 
them on their first tour of duty.

Another 35% took place after deployment, mostly more than a year after 
the soldier had returned home.

The rise means that the military suicide rate is proportionally higher 
than the rate among American civilians for the first time.

General Peter Chiarelli, vice chief of the army, said he had "no doubt" 
that the stress of the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan was a 
factor in the rising suicide rates.

He said that long tours of duty and the high pressure of being in combat 
zones was putting a strain on service personnel and their families.

The US military said it has introduced training to make soldiers more 
aware of suicidal behaviour in themselves and others, and to reduce the 
stigma of seeking help.

It has also launched a long-term research programme into the issue, in 
conjunction with the National Institute of Mental Health.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/7859797.stm

Published: 2009/01/30 04:55:04 GMT

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