Army suicide rate highest in 26 years

[obeygiant]

WASHINGTON — Army soldiers committed suicide last year at the highest rate in 26 years, and more than a quarter did so while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a new military report.

The report, obtained by The Associated Press ahead of its scheduled release Thursday, found there were 99 confirmed suicides among active duty soldiers during 2006, up from 88 the previous year and the highest number since the 102 suicides in 1991 at the time of the Persian Gulf War.

The suicide rate for the Army has fluctuated over the past 26 years, from last year's high of 17.3 per 100,000 to a low of 9.1 per 100,000 in 2001.

Last year, "Iraq was the most common deployment location for both (suicides) and attempts," the report said.

The 99 suicides included 28 soldiers deployed to the two wars and 71 who weren't. About twice as many women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan committed suicide as did women not sent to war, the report said.

Preliminary numbers for the first half of this year indicate the number of suicides could decline across the service in 2007 but increase among troops serving in the wars, officials said.

The increases for 2006 came as Army officials worked to set up a number of new and stronger programs for providing mental health care to a force strained by the longer-than-expected war in Iraq and the global counterterrorism war entering its sixth year.

Failed personal relationships, legal and financial problems and the stress of their jobs were factors motivating the soldiers to commit suicide, according to the report.

"In addition, there was a significant relationship between suicide attempts and number of days deployed" in Iraq, Afghanistan or nearby countries where troops are participating in the war effort, it said. The same pattern seemed to hold true for those who not only attempted, but succeeded in killing themselves.

There also "was limited evidence to support the view that multiple ... deployments are a risk factor for suicide behaviors," it said.

About a quarter of those who killed themselves had a history of at least one psychiatric disorder. Of those, about 20 percent had been diagnosed with a mood disorder such as bipolar disorder and/or depression; and 8 percent had been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, including post traumatic stress disorder — one of the signature injuries of the conflict in Iraq.

Firearms were the most common method of suicide. Those who attempted suicide but didn't succeed tended more often to take overdoses and cut themselves.

In a service of more than a half million troop, the 99 suicides amounted to a rate of 17.3 per 100,000 — the highest in the past 26 years, the report said. The average rate over those years has been 12.3 per 100,000.

The rate for those serving in the wars stayed about the same, 19.4 per 100,000 in 2006, compared with 19.9 in 2005.

The Army said the information was compiled from reports collected as part of its suicide prevention program — reports required for all "suicide-related behaviors that result in death, hospitalization or evacuation" of the soldier. It can take considerable time to investigate a suicide and, in fact, the Army said that in addition to the 99 confirmed suicides last year, there are two other deaths suspected as suicides in which investigations were pending.

___

Associated Press reporter Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report from Washington.Houston Chronicle (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/5057803.html)

Not Good.

[Ugg]

Not Good.

It's not really surprising either, is it?

It's either time to bring them home or start a draft. There are simply no other choices.

[obeygiant]

It's not really surprising either, is it?

It's either time to bring them home or start a draft. There are simply no other choices.

Its more sad than surprising to me. And yes, a new direction is needed in Iraq.

[solvs]

And yes, a new direction is needed in Iraq.
Yeah, out.

Everyone I know who's been there says things aren't going well and probably won't be any time soon. Some of them were saying it years ago. I've seen lives ruined by this war, families torn apart, and I'm not surprised they're feeling rather hopeless at this point, we all feel that way. Well, most of us. That's why it sickens me to see so many chickenhawks using our troops like cannon fodder while decrying us, saying we're the ones not supporting them. And for what? Nonexistant WMDs, getting rid of a guy who's been gone for awhile now, terrorists that weren't there before we got there, while the real terrorists responsible for the attacks on us are all but ignored because we pulled resources to go to a country that had nothing to do with anything? Just to completely screw things up.

For those who still don't get it, this is one of the many reasons we're so angry at this administration, and if you don't get that I don't know what to tell you.

[Desertrat]

From the CNN article about this:

"In 2006, the overall suicide rate for the United States was 13.4 per 100,000 people. It was 21.1 per 100,000 people for all men aged 17 to 45, compared to a rate of 17.8 for men in the Army."

Even with this sad increase, soldiers are psychologically healthier than male civilians in that age group.

'Rat

[leekohler]

Yeah, out.

Everyone I know who's been there says things aren't going well and probably won't be any time soon. Some of them were saying it years ago. I've seen lives ruined by this war, families torn apart, and I'm not surprised they're feeling rather hopeless at this point, we all feel that way. Well, most of us. That's why it sickens me to see so many chickenhawks using our troops like cannon fodder while decrying us, saying we're the ones not supporting them. And for what? Nonexistant WMDs, getting rid of a guy who's been gone for awhile now, terrorists that weren't there before we got there, while the real terrorists responsible for the attacks on us are all but ignored because we pulled resources to go to a country that had nothing to do with anything? Just to completely screw things up.

For those who still don't get it, this is one of the many reasons we're so angry at this administration, and if you don't get that I don't know what to tell you.

Every one of my relatives and friends in the military who have been or are there, tell me that place isn't worth one more American life. They've been saying it for a long time.

[nbs2]

From the CNN article about this:

"In 2006, the overall suicide rate for the United States was 13.4 per 100,000 people. It was 21.1 per 100,000 people for all men aged 17 to 45, compared to a rate of 17.8 for men in the Army."

Even with this sad increase, soldiers are psychologically healthier than male civilians in that age group.

But, that would mean getting the whole story rather than the sensational headline.

What percentage of men 17 to 45 are in the Army (how much does the Army rate skew the overall rate)? And what about the other Armed Forces? I'm curious to see what the rates for the three groups has been over the whole period - maybe the problem has more to do with the direction society is headed than the war in Iraq.

[mactastic]

Even with this sad increase, soldiers are psychologically healthier than male civilians in that age group.
Umm... that's not unexpected. Look into any organization that screens potential recruits. "Male civilians" includes a whole lot of messed up people that the military would never accept.

IOW, it's hardly a relevant point.

And somehow it's not surprising that a report put out by the military would blame everything EXCEPT the stress of extended multiple deployments, poor morale, or feelings of helplessness / hopelessness of being shot at from all sides. Of course it's somebody else's fault.

[princealfie]

Hmm... rate of suicide rate = suicide bomber rate? :eek::eek::eek:

[mactastic]

Hmm... rate of suicide rate = suicide bomber rate? :eek::eek::eek:
Huh?

[Peterkro]

It's not really surprising either, is it?

It's either time to bring them home or start a draft. There are simply no other choices.

A draft is a non-starter,given what happened at the end of the Vietnam war even the neocons are not going to try that.A mercenary army of hired killers is the only way to get people to fight under the conditions of the present wars involving the US.Not that I think a return to the days of fragging would be such a bad thing.

[mactastic]

A draft is a non-starter,given what happened at the end of the Vietnam war even the neocons are not going to try that.A mercenary army of hired killers is the only way to get people to fight under the conditions of the present wars involving the US.Not that I think a return to the days of fragging would be such a bad thing.
There's already more private contractors under US pay than there are US military members in Iraq.

The mercenary army is already well under way.

[killerrobot]

From the CNN article about this:

"In 2006, the overall suicide rate for the United States was 13.4 per 100,000 people. It was 21.1 per 100,000 people for all men aged 17 to 45, compared to a rate of 17.8 for men in the Army."

Even with this sad increase, soldiers are psychologically healthier than male civilians in that age group.

'Rat

I heard this story on NPR today and was wondering what the overall suicide rates were. Thanks for posting that info.

On NPR they said the suicide rate was for only active duty males. I wonder if there were any increases/decreases/stagnation in the off duty category or retired?

[mactastic]

I heard this story on NPR today and was wondering what the overall suicide rates were. Thanks for posting that info.
See post #8 above for why comparing the two rates on an equal basis is statistically misleading.

[Desertrat]

mac, what protracted engagement were we into, 26 years ago? Why was the rate so high, then?

Screening or no screening, the fact that the rate is lower than for civilian males of that age group still says that even the stress of combat and IEDs doesn't create a problem that is abnormal.

I'm not trying to say it's no problem, nor downplay it. But some perspective is called for when the media goes to selling excitement...

'Rat

[leekohler]

mac, what protracted engagement were we into, 26 years ago? Why was the rate so high, then?

Screening or no screening, the fact that the rate is lower than for civilian males of that age group still says that even the stress of combat and IEDs doesn't create a problem that is abnormal.

I'm not trying to say it's no problem, nor downplay it. But some perspective is called for when the media goes to selling excitement...

'Rat

'Rat- when every single person I know in the military tells me this a waste of time, I'm inclined to believe them. That alone would be enough to depress the crap out of me. I can't imagine what our soldiers are going through.

[solvs]

I'm not trying to say it's no problem, nor downplay it.

But... you kinda are. And this isn't the first time you've done so. Things aren't going well there 'rat, and PTSD is just one of the many side effects.

[Desertrat]

PTSD has been a side effect of every war we've ever had. Violent encounters in civilian life, for that matter.

We didn't have that label for "battle fatigue" when my stepfather came back from flying a B-24 out of Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. ("We used them for everything from pursuit planes to dive bombers...") For him, it was as much bottle fatigue as battle fatigue. OTOH, my father's tone of voice in what little he said about D-Day through VE Day indicated he regarded the whole time as a somewhat different but interesting form of deer hunt.

As far as "waste of time", that's a function of who you are in the pecking order, where you are, and what your job is. On scene as an E-4, I thought that occupation duty in South Korea was a waste of time--at that time.

Guys who see villagers in Iraq becoming helpful in giving information on Al Qaida people have a different view. Some of the blogs are indicative of that.

As far as "downplay" goes, it's not the seriousness I look at, but the comparative excitement over what's actually a common part of the world we live in and have lived in for decades and centuries.

One of the better commentaries I ever heard about perspective came from a lawyer buddy of mine: "The average guy gets one, maybe two divorces in a lifetime. A lawyer might have to deal with five a week."

'Rat

[leekohler]

PTSD has been a side effect of every war we've ever had. Violent encounters in civilian life, for that matter.

We didn't have that label for "battle fatigue" when my stepfather came back from flying a B-24 out of Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. ("We used them for everything from pursuit planes to dive bombers...") For him, it was as much bottle fatigue as battle fatigue. OTOH, my father's tone of voice in what little he said about D-Day through VE Day indicated he regarded the whole time as a somewhat different but interesting form of deer hunt.

As far as "waste of time", that's a function of who you are in the pecking order, where you are, and what your job is. On scene as an E-4, I thought that occupation duty in South Korea was a waste of time--at that time.

Guys who see villagers in Iraq becoming helpful in giving information on Al Qaida people have a different view. Some of the blogs are indicative of that.

As far as "downplay" goes, it's not the seriousness I look at, but the comparative excitement over what's actually a common part of the world we live in and have lived in for decades and centuries.

One of the better commentaries I ever heard about perspective came from a lawyer buddy of mine: "The average guy gets one, maybe two divorces in a lifetime. A lawyer might have to deal with five a week."

'Rat

'Rat, you just downplayed it again. I know people from doctors to snipers in the military, people on the lines. They tell me it's not worth another American life.

[imac/cheese]

'Rat, you just downplayed it again. I know people from doctors to snipers in the military, people on the lines. They tell me it's not worth another American life.

In your opinion, what is worth an American life?

[mactastic]

mac, what protracted engagement were we into, 26 years ago? Why was the rate so high, then?
What, exactly, does that have to do with the price of beans?

Screening or no screening, the fact that the rate is lower than for civilian males of that age group still says that even the stress of combat and IEDs doesn't create a problem that is abnormal.
No, it doesn't say that at all. In order to make a determination of whether the stresses of this war are causing a rise in suicides, you would have to compare pre-war suicides among military members to the current rate. Comparing apples to apples plus oranges does not give you anything useful.

I'm not trying to say it's no problem, nor downplay it. But some perspective is called for when the media goes to selling excitement...Some perspective indeed is called for. I just don't think you're providing the necessary perspective in this case.

I don't know whether this is all that unusual or not. I made no judgement about whether this is unusual or not. My sole point was that it is meaningless to compare the rates of suicude among the general population and a subset of that population that is supposedly selecting for mental stability among it's members. Indeed, it would be a great surprise, statistically speaking, if the suicide rate for the military exceeded the rate for civilians.

In your opinion, what is worth an American life?
3,000 Iraqi lives?

[leekohler]

In your opinion, what is worth an American life?

You should ask them, not me. However, in my opinion, protecting our borders would be, not invading a country that wasn't a threat and didn't attack us.

[Desertrat]

Well, if this suicide rate is thehighest in 26 years, it seems to me that the old "record" was, then, 26 years ago. So, from curiosity, why was it so high back then? If the cause, now, is the Iraq war, what was going on in 1981 that brought about that size of a problem?

A reason, now, implies a reason, then...

'Rat

[mactastic]

Well, if this suicide rate is thehighest in 26 years, it seems to me that the old "record" was, then, 26 years ago. So, from curiosity, why was it so high back then? If the cause, now, is the Iraq war, what was going on in 1981 that brought about that size of a problem?

A reason, now, implies a reason, then...

'Rat
Now you're talking sense! :)

Comparing the suicide rates of the same subset of people over time DOES provide meaningful information. Unfortunately I don't have an answer for you as to why. That would take some actual research. Was 1981 an aberration? How bad were the suicide rates in 1968? 1956? 1943?

All I can offer is the same as anyone else here - my best guess.

This is also a case of self-reporting. It's always suspect when an entity does it's own evaluation of a potentially embarassing problem within it's own ranks.

[obeygiant]

Now you're talking sense! :)

Comparing the suicide rates of the same subset of people over time DOES provide meaningful information. Unfortunately I don't have an answer for you as to why. That would take some actual research. Was 1981 an aberration? How bad were the suicide rates in 1968? 1956? 1943?

All I can offer is the same as anyone else here - my best guess.

This is also a case of self-reporting. It's always suspect when an entity does it's own evaluation of a potentially embarassing problem within it's own ranks.

The report, obtained by The Associated Press ahead of its scheduled release Thursday, found there were 99 confirmed suicides among active duty soldiers during 2006, up from 88 the previous year and the highest number since the 102 suicides in 1991 at the time of the Persian Gulf War.

The suicide rate for the Army has fluctuated over the past 26 years, from last year’s high of 17.3 per 100,000 to a low of 9.1 per 100,000 in 2001.

[…]

Failed personal relationships, legal and financial problems and the stress of their jobs were factors motivating the soldiers to commit suicide, according to the report.

“In addition, there was a significant relationship between suicide attempts and number of days deployed” in Iraq, Afghanistan or nearby countries where troops are participating in the war effort, it said. The same pattern seemed to hold true for those who not only attempted, but succeeded in killing themselves.

Well the study implies that there has always been suicides in the army. It fluctuates between 102 in 1991 and 99 in 2006. it could be that being in a conflict or not has no significant bering on the statistics. Just the stress of being in the army and being away from your family is the primary reason to kill yourself, not because the soldiers are fighting an unpopular war.

[mactastic]

Interesting that the lowest rate was recorded just prior to this war.

It could also be that the rates were trending downward prior to 2003, and have taken a spike upward because soldiers are fighting in an unpopular war.

All we have is our best guess, generally colored by our expectations. We'd need to see a whole lot more data before being able to draw either conclusion.

[dswoodley]

Suicide isn't the only thing up. Domestic violence amongst GIs being "reintegrated" into family life is also spiking. Give me a bit to find the source.

[SMM]

Suicide isn't the only thing up. Domestic violence amongst GIs being "reintegrated" into family life is also spiking. Give me a bit to find the source.

No need, I can confirm it. I have began orientation for doing veteran outreach volunteer work. What you day is exactly true. The actual numbers, and demographics are still being calculated, analyzed and evaluated. But there is no question that well-over 25% of returning combat veterans are suffering from some inability to assimilate back into their former lives. The VA and other agencies are under-funded to adequately provide support for these unfortunate souls. So, many get insufficient help, and others get none.

[Desertrat]

Life in the civilian world can seem weird to a returning GI. I wasn't in combat; I did occupation duty in Korea in 1954/1955. At home on leave, afterwards, I ran across people who had to stop and think about where Korea was, what had gone on there...

Guys spend a year or so worrying about staying alive, to finding decent meals or hot running water ever now and then. They then come home to folks who don't give much thought to anything beyond casual day-to-day living in the good old US style. The difference in priorities is a nerve-jangler.

Among other stuff...

'Rat

[SMM]

Life in the civilian world can seem weird to a returning GI. I wasn't in combat; I did occupation duty in Korea in 1954/1955. At home on leave, afterwards, I ran across people who had to stop and think about where Korea was, what had gone on there...

Guys spend a year or so worrying about staying alive, to finding decent meals or hot running water ever now and then. They then come home to folks who don't give much thought to anything beyond casual day-to-day living in the good old US style. The difference in priorities is a nerve-jangler.

Among other stuff...

'Rat

Same experience here. I remember coming home and seeing some old acquaintances. They would ask, "Where have you been, what have you been doing?" I would answer, "I just got home from Vietnam". Their replies soon became predictable, "That's nice, Oh, welcome home, "Well, good luck", as they walked away.

It is hard to explain, how you can feel totally alone, when surrounded by people. I received a few medals in Vietnam. The military sends the story to your local newspaper. My mom wrote me, and included the clip when my story was published (small clip buried in the back of the 'local news'). When I returned from Vietnam, the local paper called and wanted to interview me.

I thought that was cool, and agreed. I figured it was about the earlier story. Instead, the reporter asked me questions like:

"Returning Vietnam vets are getting into a lot of trouble with the law, why is that?"

"Vets are not finding jobs and are just collecting unemployment, why is that?"

"Vets do not seem to be able to fit into society when they come home, why is that?"

"Do you feel personally responsible for being the first American army to lose a war?"

Questions like that. It made me feel pretty awful. I had only been home for a few weeks. I was just trying to figure stuff out, and this bugger was suggesting I was already stigmatized.

Let's not repeat this for another group of young people. They are going to have enough problems as it is.

[leekohler]

Same experience here. I remember coming home and seeing some old acquaintances. They would ask, "Where have you been, what have you been doing?" I would answer, "I just got home from Vietnam". Their replies soon became predictable, "That's nice, Oh, welcome home, "Well, good luck", as they walked away.

It is hard to explain, how you can feel totally alone, when surrounded by people. I received a few medals in Vietnam. The military sends the story to your local newspaper. My mom wrote me, and included the clip when my story was published (small clip buried in the back of the 'local news'). When I returned from Vietnam, the local paper called and wanted to interview me.

I thought that was cool, and agreed. I figured it was about the earlier story. Instead, the reporter asked me questions like:

"Returning Vietnam vets are getting into a lot of trouble with the law, why is that?"

"Vets are not finding jobs and are just collecting unemployment, why is that?"

"Vets do not seem to be able to fit into society when they come home, why is that?"

"Do you feel personally responsible for being the first American army to lose a war?"

Questions like that. It made me feel pretty awful. I had only been home for a few weeks. I was just trying to figure stuff out, and this bugger was suggesting I was already stigmatized.

Let's not repeat this for another group of young people. They are going to have enough problems as it is.

We won't. I think that lesson from Viet Nam is something none of us have forgotten.

[solvs]

We won't. I think that lesson from Viet Nam is something none of us have forgotten.

I wouldn't say that, obviously some people have.