Pentagon reports 154 suicides in first 155 days of 2012
Suicide rate is highest in 10 years of war; upswing catches some officials by surprise
Suicides are surging among America's troops, averaging nearly one a day this year — the fastest pace in the nation's decade of war
The 154 suicides for active-duty troops in the first 155 days of the year far outdistance the U.S. forces killed in action in Afghanistan — about 50 percent more — according to Pentagon statistics obtained by The Associated Press.
The numbers reflect a military burdened with wartime demands from Iraq and Afghanistan that have taken a greater toll than foreseen a decade ago. The military also is struggling with increased sexual assaults, alcohol abuse, domestic violence and other misbehavior.
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The reasons for the increase are not fully understood. Among explanations, studies have pointed to combat exposure, post-traumatic stress, misuse of prescription medications and personal financial problems. Army data suggest soldiers with multiple combat tours are at greater risk of committing suicide, although a substantial proportion of Army suicides are committed by soldiers who never deployed.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47726225/ns/us_news/t/pentagon-reports-suicides-first-days/
I've maintained a relationship with several soldiers that I helped during my days in the congressional office. I'm relating what they tell me.
Additionally, that's my daughter in my avatar. This is not a subject that I'm detached from. I have my own worries about her mental state of being and I listen to her very closely. She's E-7 with lots of stories to tell.
I don't want to debate the why of why our soldiers are suffering. There are a myriad of reasons why they suffer. I want to debate how we can help them beyond the meme of "I support the troops."