Why are the US soldier suicides at highest level?

Question

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2150040,00.html

Firearms were found to be the most common method of suicide. Those who attempted to kill themselves but did not succeed tended more often to take overdoses and cut themselves.

Answer 1

I think it might have something to do with a war in Iraq.

Answer 2

Those who take pills or cut themselves are sending a message or trying to get attention, not really trying to kill themselves, though women tend to suicide more often by overdosing. Men usually use a weapon, but sometimes a combination of booze and pills. They are usually successful. Few are cutters! In Iraq seems as if both men and women use weapons, so they are no feeble attempt, though those not successful was not reported by the DOD!

In Iraq I would suspect it is a combination of what they have seen, and what they no longer wish to see probably coupled with the fact that most know that they aren't doing one tour and will probably be hijacked at the end of their "contract" and FORCED to stay in the military, some being sent back to Iraq! Many are on their 3rd tour and are already PTSD and should have never been returned! I think some see there situation as hopeless, or their mind cannot handle what they have experienced. Combat is something no one should ever have to witness. NO ONE is not effected by it! Though I have not seen their jackets, or their suicide notes, I am not unfamiliar with those suiciding, or attempting to suicide!

There have been 118 suicides as of July 31, most occurring within the past year! There have been 4,003 brought home in body bags from Iraq!

Answer 3

It's impossible to experience war and not be emotionally affected by it regardless of your training and despite attempts to make the soldier a machine he is still a thinking and emotional human being.
Those suffering from emotional instability and mental health issues won't find understanding in a Society that couldn't care less about the mentally ill. In this Country if you are mentally ill not only are you shunned you are **** out of luck if you think you are going to be treated with respect and understanding.
There are more mentally ill people in prison than there are in hospitals because the Government likes it better that way; it's cost effective.

Answer 4

U shut the hell up Americas Destiny...you obviously dont know what the hell you are talkin about!! Most of the other responses in here are right on. The military gets the same damn training whether or not there is a republican or democrat in office!!
The reason why there are so many suicides is simple...multi-deployments many of them back to back because our military is stretched so thin. Families are being torn apart, soldiers watching their best friends die in their own arms, and improper diagnosis's from physicians.
I am currently serving this great nation and have been for the past 14yrs and will continue until my time is over or until I bleed my last drop of blood. I have seen all of the above. People have a right to their opinion and the troops know that you can still support us but you dont have to agree with the facts on why we are in this war. Yes, believe it or not we have a mind of our own and we all are not just killing machines.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

Answer 5

Because troops spend longer in combat zones than ever before, with less frequent rotations and inadequate psychiatric care when they come back.

We need roughly twice the current manpower we currently have to sustain operations in Iraq. Longer tours, shorter furloughs and inadequate maintenance mean more Red-liners.

The lack of definable progress or even clear victory conditions isn't helping either. Low military pay and long separations, causing strains on marriages is also a factor.
To make things even worse, the govt policy of allowing ex-spouses to file for custody while the custodial parent is in country is bumming more soldiers out than just the ones who are parents. It's seen as a sign that America doesn't care about it's soldiers.

Answer 6

I read somewhere that someone from your family is related to the Armed forces/defense. I guess there's no one who hates wars as much as soldiers. Its not easy being on the front in hostile regions, staying away from your family for months and living under the fear of political instability that can make or break their as well as their family's life. Its really bad to see that despite being such an important part of a country, soldiers have to resort to strong actions convey their message to the people in office. If only our politicians were a bit more considerate and less greedy !

Answer 7

I think its Horrible and I wish there was someway to reduce the deaths...I can only suggest a limited draft RIGHT NOW...that would help and insure no more than 12 months in the combat zone...im sure this would help,we also need a stronger V,A system of care for out hero's.I am deeply saddened by this fact,as you point out....limited drat now,,and a competent V.A system of health care ....I pray for all ....chow my friend....free press

Answer 8

Why do Libs love to point it out when Soldiers die?

Is it like a victory for you?

*edit*

I was going to leave my post as it was, but after reading the responses listed above I can't help but feel sickened and disappointed. I'm a Soldier, a Veteran and a Patriot. I have supported this war from the beggining and have spent the last 4 years of my life in the Middle East proving just that.

So many people come on this forum and talk about the
military like the have some type of first person experiance with war. The only logical responses were probably from veterans and I could tell that even they had a hard time explaining it....

"They feel used"
"They're angry about Bush Lying"
"They have no respect for Bush"
"They all killed woman and children"
"Conservatives join the Military, shows you what kind of people they are"

I'm disgusted and appalled by these responses.

I hardly ever talk about these things but I think you all need to realize something.

I've seen some pretty intense and horrific things in my time over here. I've seen friends get shot, die and I've held bleeding comrades in my arms. I've been shot at and I've shot back and possibly killed others. I've been woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of mortars exploding near my hootch and I've been at camps that have had car bombs and suicide bombers blow up at the front gates.

All of these things cause great mental stress. I happen to be one of the lucky ones who can handle it (even though I don't sleep so soundly anymore). Others can't. They are haunted by the memories of these things. On top of that, many have families who they must come home to and try to explain this stuff, when most times the only thing that can really be said is "You had to be there." Spouses sometimes can't cope and families break up, which places even more stress on a soldier. It's sad but sometimes these brave people feel there is no way out or that they have lost everything and end their lives.

Why would any of you want to insult someone for that? Why would anyone who doesn't know a damn thing about war besides what you've seen in movies and heard about from the Media want to try and act like you know what it's like?

You should feel small and ashamed. These people fought for YOUR freedom. At least respect that........ if anything at all.

Answer 9

Good question.. why are they.... and what is the government doing to illeviate this happening.

These are young kids.. they are not the people who fought our fathers and grandfathers wars. They are not as uninformed as once was. Television and media tell them everything. These poor kids know they are over there fighting a losing cause and most of them probably have no respect for the deserter who got them into this.

It is the saddest, most hearbreaking thing to hear that they are killing themselves before they are killed.. or because they are frightened, and who the hell wouldn't be. Bush was scared to leave his daddys side.. he should understand better than anyone.
Iit makes me want to cry and I pray for these young people and thier families. I cannot imagine the fear they live with day in and day out.. it is unbeleivable. It is so easy for us to sit here safe and say.. good for them, aren;'t they brave, oh they are fighting for all of us... you bet they are.. but volunteer or not.. none of them knew what war was, or how it would be.. and I don't blame one of them, not one, for wanting out of it. I could not stand to see my puppy when it was run down in the street.. can you imagine what it is like for a 18-19-20 year old to watch his friend get blown to bits... it is awful and it is wrong... I can ony pray for them.. but it is not enough... we need our gfovernment to look after them.. they are citizens too... do they not have right to life.

Should they die so Lindsay Lohan can keep on taking drugs.. so Bush can keep on lying, so Paris Hilton can have one more new house.. or so the local thugs can rob and cheat and rape.. or big business and government can continue to gouge its people... God Almighty what is this all for?

Answer 10

You forgot to add the 'in 26 years' part. I'd assume that suicide rates go up, during war-time. I'm not sure what your point is, here.

Answer 11

Suicide among soldiers are always high during war time...it's just amazing htat the comparison is during peace time...why not compare the numbers with Nam or Korea or WWII.
Most of the suicides are because of personal problems..mostly from lack of support from home.