Why is the rate of suicide among Iraq vets so high?

Question

In 2005 alone, 125 veterans committed suicide each week and of the more than 88,000 vets returning from Iraq, more than 28% of them have reported experiencing mental health problems.

Answer 1

I don't know if your data is correct or not. I do know that the trauma of war affects one brain. Research has show that there is actually scarring of the brain from the trauma of war.
When a combat veteran returns, they often are not only having to deal with the mental problems of the war, but attitudes of the public/relatives/friends, the stress of finding employment (they are competing with individuals their same age that have more work experience or education, because they did not go into the military), the stress of sleepless nights, and, stress of relationships after being away for extended time.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has occurred in all wars, it use to be called soldiers heart, shell shock, combat fatigue, war neurosis, and combat trauma. Many individuals that have the injury refuse to accept the fact they have a mental problem and seek help through the Veterans Administration.
The rate of suicides appear higher in modern combat veterans because the veterans rapidly return home (veterans use to spend months getting home--boat and were able to talk to other veterans about their issues). Also, veterans use to return to a environment that more rural allowing time to re-adapt.
We do not really know how many combat vets from prior wars that committed suicide--car accidents, drownings, alcoholism, and etc. But it has always been with us.
I pray that more vets seek help--its available and it is free.

Answer 2

well look at it this way. You go over and face death. You watch buddies die. You come home to a country that is completely divided over the war. Politicians convince you that you should of not gone. You try to pick up your life and you are harassed on the job. Your spouse or girlfriend has met someone else or blames you for the lonley times. Many of us turn to booze or drugs to take away the pains some lose the desire to live. Been there twice Korea and Nam. When I came back from Korea I did not like this country and could not wait to get back overseas. Many time I have had civilians see me dining or having a drink tell me that I was wasting their tax dollars. they only love you when the threat is real in this country. Look at the change since 9-11-01

Answer 3

How does this compare with other wars like Vietnam, World War II, the Gulf War, etc? Without comparing the current data to the data about veterans from other wars there is no basis to say that the suicide rate among Iraq War Veterans is "high" compared to veterans of other wars.

Since the majority of the general public does not endure the stress, pain, and fear associated with combat conditions, comparing the suicide rate of veterans to that of average Americans isn't really valid. A comparison must be made with others who have experienced combat, like veterans of other wars.

Answer 4

This happens in every war. Some vets have a very hard time dealing with what they saw and had to do sometimes. This is not new. i hope more help is given them than before.

Answer 5

It doesn't make it right, but I'm guessing that you'd probably find similar percentages in other wars. Hopefully, the government will step up and give the 28% (assuming the figure is accurate) the help that they need.

Answer 6

this is true of all wars

many veterans can't forgive themselves for things they did in combat

others feel like they are doing something incredible while serving, but then return home to the same old boring routine and can't handle it.

often times soldiers return home only to find out their wife/husband cheated on them.

btw
the GI Bill never went away
nor did the VA

Answer 7

The all-volunteer army is disproportionately staffed with low income people who have few resources.
They exit the service with few resources and no real assistance in transitioning to supporting themselves. In addition, many of them suffer from PTS.

We need something like the GI Bill back.

Answer 8

With the way neocons talk, you would think it is because they don't want to leave Iraq.

Try living your life, having to relive that stuff everytime you close your eyes.

Answer 9

I asked this question yesterday and Yahoo answers deleted it! Yahoo is attempting to cover up this tragedy to protect the Bush administration. Take answers while you can!

Answer 10

I would go nuts too if I have been through half the stuff they have been through in that war.