Suicide In Military Is Epidemic

As the war in Afghanistan winds down and our troops come home, suicide rates among both enlisted and longer-serving non -commissioned officers continues to climb. Trying to figure out how to arrest the increase in suicide is an ongoing quest of military officials. Today, suicide is the most frequent cause of death among Army forces, surpassing combat deaths and motor vehicle accidents. Lawmakers point to a backlog of claims for care at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The system is overwhelmed. The Pentagon has struggled to pinpoint risk factors that will help them reach out to troubled troops. They have increased the number of counselors who might be able to talk to troops about the romantic woes that often come with multiple deployments. The Pentagon reported that half of all soldiers who committed suicide had recently had a failed relationship. The counselors are also meant to help troops with substance and alcohol abuse. Nearly a third of those who commit suicide also have struggled with substance abuse. Some senior Army officials have also spoken about the need for greater gun control among troops recently returning from war. 68% of soldiers who kill themselves use guns. The majority of suicides have two things in common: alcohol and a gun. When you have somebody that you feel is high risk, is it unreasonable to tell that individual that he should not have a weapon in the house? Yes, according to a new NRA law that prohibits the military from engaging in discussions about weapons and safety. Lawmakers may revisit this legislation sometime, but with the rate at which congress is introducing and passing new legislation, that may be in the next decade, after thousands more lives are lost. Army officials feel that the rise in suicide is preventable, and they are still looking for solutions. Our soldiers deserve mental health services when they come home, and right now, many of them are not getting it. Let's give these brave men and women what they need to live healthy, productive lives after they have risked life and limb for their country.