As many as 17 soldiers took their own lives during May, 10 more than in April, despite aggressive efforts by the Army to get soldiers the help they need.
The number of suicides had been steadily going down since January, when 23 soldier deaths were thought to be suicides, to April when seven soldiers’ deaths were investigated as possible suicides. This year’s deaths are on pace to come close to last year’s 144 suicides, an unprecedented number for the Army.
There are so many variables in why someone may have committed suicide, but the rate does seem high for the Military. High stress jobs often have a higher rate of suicides and being a soldier is undeniably one of the toughest jobs on earth. You are faced with real life and death situations and may have to do things that are very, very difficult to cope with, like killing enemy combatants. Hopefully they'll continue to improve being able to identify soldiers who need help and encourage more to come forward and get that help.
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Updated: More here on what the current probe into why the suicide rate is skyrocketing.
rather than trying to figure out who MIGHT be suicidial, assume they all are and make it mandatory for EVERY soldier to have counciling once a week or so, for no less than 6 months after EVERY deployment. Its the Military for goodness sakes, make it an order! My son was NOT suicidal but I feel that maybe someone to talk to about stuff might be a help to him in alot of other ways. PLUS if it is mandatory for everyone, there is no stigma attached for not 'just sucking it up'.
