Leo Sher, M.D.

Suicide rates in the U.S. military are rising. American troops are taking their own lives in the largest numbers since records began to be kept in 1980. In 2008, the Army reported 128 suicides among active duty and mobilized National Guard and Reserves personnel (1). In 2007 and 2006, 115 and 102 suicides were registered, respectively. Although some cases remain under investigation, the current rate of 20.2 suicides per 100,000 servicemen is already substantially higher than the national suicide rate.Lengthy tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, financial and psychological strain, relationship problems, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol and drug abuse, and traumatic brain injury may contribute to the increasing suicide rates in the military (1,2). Military personnel may be reluctant to ask for help when they are depressed because they do not want to be seen as weak. Suicidal behavior in the military requires immediate attention. People who dedicated their lives to serving their country should receive a high-quality psychiatric and medical care.

References:

1. Kuhl E.A. Rising suicide rates in the military: PRN and Army behavioral health practice and treatment study. Psychiatric Research Report, 2009, Vol. 26, No. 1, p. 8.
2. Sher L. Suicide in war veterans: the role of comorbidity of PTSD and depression. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 2009, Vol. 9, No. 7, pp. 921-923.