The Enemy Within: Military Suicide Epidemic
August 30th, 2010 | Published in Military News | 1 Comment
Written by Joshua Patton
War, by its very definition, is synonymous with violence, chaos, and death, thus those called to it are often surrounded by it suddenly and totally. As with previous conflicts, those that return home from war physically intact often suffer with mental injuries,often left untreated. Readjustment to life back in the US is more difficult than many anticipate. While deployed, many spend most of their free time wishing they were home, but the sad irony is that, for some, once they are home all they can think about is returning to the battlefield. The feelings of despair and fear they felt in-theater pale in comparison to the looming challenge of living life after war. There is an increasing threat to the safety of active troops and veterans that is not found on the dusty plains of Iraq or the mountains of Afghanistan, but within the very troops themselves.
This past June was the deadliest month for the military in recent history when it comes to suicide, 38 soldiers. The numbers for July were recently released showing improvement, but still the numbers are a staggering 27 active, guard, and reserve soldiers. A mural on the side of a building in New York shows that in 2009 the soldiers lost to suicide outnumbered those lost in Iraq more than three-to-one. While the official number of total suicides for 2009 is actually 239, it has been reported that there were more than 1500 suicide attempts last year. So while the mural may not be statistically accurate, the point being made is not lost: a soldier in 2009 was more likely to die as a result of suicide than in combat in Iraq.
The Army has acknowledged that there is a problem and has taken steps to address the issue. A comprehensive report was released and was in the works since last year. There were over 70 recommendations to improve the situation, not the least of which was the creation of an Office of Suicide Prevention in the top-levels of the Pentagon. Typically, the burden of suicide prevention has been on the unit leadership, specifically the NCOs that work closest with the soldiers, and the Chaplain corps.
The burdens that weigh on the shoulders of the soldiers are seemingly endless. They consist of, but are not limited to, multiple deployments, lack of access to treatment for mental injury, the dissolution of soldiers’ marriages, or the lack of civilian employment when separated. Of the soldiers lost in 2009, 149 were engaging in what the military deems “high-risk behavior.” The problems soldiers face with alcoholism, drug-abuse, or engaging in criminal activities is no secret, the question remains what can be done?
While these numbers are staggering and painful, they don’t even scratch the surface. The Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki said at the beginning of this year that of the 30,000 suicides per year in this country, 20 percent were veterans. “It’s an epidemic with no discernible cure…it makes you feel impotent,” said a VA nurse wishing to remain anonymous. There is no easy answer to this problem and it isn’t going to go away on its own. Many hope that the strides that the military and the VA are taking to address this problem are steps in the right direction. But, for some, even hope is not enough.
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August 30th, 2010 at 3:09 pm (#)
Your article touched a nerve in me as a psychology student. I am devoting my career to PTSD and combat trauma related events. My husband is Roy Smith who writes for the Veterans Journal as well as battles PTSD each day. The experiences at war that men and woman endure is not understood enough to have a deep understanding of the problem.
As an individual I can say, we are trying. I am learning studying and reaching everyday to help those men and woman find the mental space and peace they need to want to continue living their lives. Each day seems to only produce more struggle’s when it comes to this field. I have battled my own PTSD and can say there is very little that helps.
I guess I just wanted you to know, there are people out their devoting their lives and education to helping these individuals who suffer. They are not alone.