US Army Suicides Rise 13% Over Past Year

American army officials have released information that there have been 117 reported cases of suicide in 2007, a 13% increase over 2006.

Army officials said that 115 troops committed suicide in 2007, an increase of 13% over the 102, of 2006. Previous figures estimated 121 suicides, but many of these are still under investigation and some have been attributed to other causes. Most of these came amongst officers on active duty, the National Guard and reserve troops.

Available army records since 1990 show that 2007 has been the worst year. Amongst previous years 102 in 2006, 85 in 2005 and in 2004, 67 officers gave up their lives.

The war related stress is being held responsible for the growing suicides in the army. Through the 5 years that the Iraq war has been on and the 7 years old war in Afghanistan, the stress levels amongst the troops has sky-rocketed.

The time of deployment had also been increased from 12 months to 15 months and this was largely responsible for growing discontent and restlessness. This has since been withdrawn. Daily tensions and even PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) are the other main reasons.

In Afghanistan the violence had gone up post the Taliban resurgence. Half a year of comparative less violence in Iraq had also ended and militant action was on the rise again. Added to this the stresses of a continuous war have tested the mental limits of the soldiers. War situations are ideal grounds for developments of disorders like PTSD as mentioned above. Exposure to such situations daily leads to very high levels of instabilities in the soldiers. It is hardly surprising then that they have a wish to escape it and hence chose the ultimate path.

Cognitive therapy and counseling can help many of the troops. It is not that this feeling of being unsatisfied creeps in consciously. It is very rare that any individual exhibits such self control and mental strength so as to, not be affected by the very grave scenes they witness.

Hence it becomes highly important that the authorities take the necessary steps and keep the mental health of the army in mind, giving it equal importance if not more than their physical health.

Efforts are being made to prevent such happenings though. The army is trying to set up certain camps to help the situation. Training and education camps, suicide prevention camps and seminars to help identify mental health problems in troops and their fellows are being set up. The army has employed over 300 psychiatrists, psychologists and health professionals to measure and screen the mental health scenario amongst the soldiers.

Other individual organizations like the Peaceful Warrior Ranch have been a big step taken by the society to help the soldiers who risk their lives for the country’s security.