What's the correlation between suicide and serving in the military?

Question

Why are men who serve in the military committing suicide at significantly higher rates than civilians.

There are other occupations where people are exposed to death often, yet they hold it together.

What do you think is going on here?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070612/hl_nm/suicide_veterans_dc_3

FYI- I have a brother in law and a brother actively serving to protect all of us. Please don't assume anything based on this question. This is the U.S. where we are free to ponder such things, right. You're jumping the gun here.

Answer 1

Before you people start criticizing Bonny for being anti-military, becuase of this question, go talk to someone who is actually in the military. I'm in the U.S. Navy. I can't tell you how many times, in just this year I've had to sit through the required powerpoints on suicide... why it's wrong, it's not the only way out, there's help, etc. Why do they show us these powerpoints so frequently? Because suicide is a problem with members of the armed forces, esp. during the holiday season. I love the U.S. Navy, I love our military, and everything we stand for, but actually living the life, can suck. That's just being honest. You're no longer your own person. Everything that is voluntary, is voluntary because, in my case, the Navy says it's voluntary, they can change their mind at any time... and they will change their minds frequently. A small example: getting an anthrax shot. It's optional, mandatory, optional and now mandatory again... how can your job tell you what to do with your body? If you're in the military the only answer you'll get is, "you signed the contract." People don't like feeling like they have no say over there own bodies... Also, a lot of us are young, haven't been away from home yet, and we get homesick, which is one of the biggest factors that gets my peers down. You have personal issues at home, you can't be there to do anything about... there's a lot of infidelity too. Your on the other side of the world, and you get calls from your friends that they saw your wife or husband with so and so... It's that lose of control over your life, being alone (though you have your other military buddies around), that contribute greatly to people in the services becoming depressed, and being so young at the same time, sometimes you just don't see so far beyond your current situation. And also... when civilians feel there job has become unsatisfying, can't tolerate the environment anymore... etc... they can quit when they want! ~ I may even get a couple bullshit jobs when I get out and quit them, just because I have the pleasure to do so... (half-kidding :P

Answer 2

I dispute this statement of yours, show some facts and figures before coming with a statement like that, I have read other stats saying teenagers are the highest suicide rate in young males. And I would say civilians have a higher rate of suicide than active serving military personnel.

Answer 3

For those that are trying to figure out where she is getting this..

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20070612/hl_hsn/maleusveteransmorelikelytocommitsuicide

Id have to say its different for everybody.. It could be something they saw over there that they are having trouble coping with, or it could be problems back home that are making the soldiers depressed... And depression in a hostile environment isnt good..

A guy I served with commited suicide when he got back. Read the story, and you might find out why.

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0214-09.htm

Answer 4

There have been many studies conducted on military suicide rates. In general the military has suicide rates that are equivalent to police and other high stress professions.

Answer 5

i think you are happily spreading dissent, like the america hating libs love to do. gee, its a good thing we didnt have you whiny types in 1944, isnt it?!

you asked a leading question and you got the answers you deserve. just because you have relatives in the military doesnt automatically qualify you the status of non lib. your question was heavily lib/anti military sounding.

Answer 6

The rate mirrors that of the general population.

Answer 7

Bonny are you serious?

You gotta serve to fully understand

Answer 8

suicide is being willing to kill yourself for reason that you feel are adequate.

serving in the military is, being willing to kill others for reasons that you feel are adequate.

when i was in the U.S. Army, the saying went like this....
if they are willing to die for their cause, then we must be willing to help them on their way.......period.

as far as combat, you are not fighting for any cause except, protect your buddy and yourself. come back alive, period.

Answer 9

You don't care for the military do you! What type of 'man' do you like ? More like your Dad ,does he still live in San Fransisco?

Answer 10

Do you have evidence to back-up the premise of your question?