More U.S. soldiers committed suicide last year than at any point since the Army started keeping track in 1980, according to a CNN report today.

The story says the Army is set to release a report tomorrow revealing there
were 125 suicides among the ranks in 2008, and another 15 suspected.

The numbers aren't surprising. Statistics for 2007 were similar, and a
recent study by Johns Hopkins University showed that suicide rates nationwide
were on the rise.

Add to that the fact that soldiers are at-risk for many of the indicators of suicide - depression, financial problems, reluctance to seek treatment - and it seems obvious why this is happening.

The CNN report says the Army plans a study to show if there's any link
between post-combat stress and suicide.

That's a good idea, but I can't help thinking it's about five years too late.

It seems that I read reports of suicide (military and civilian) much more frequently these days. Murder/suicide also seems to be on the rise. I can't even begin to imagine circumstances so dire that such an act would seem like a good idea, but clearly it happens - often. I know there are suicide prevention hotlines and such, but what about those who don't reach out for help? How to proactively identify and reach the troubled? Big problem - sad situation.

I can't help but agree Jan... 5 years too late. Anyone under that kind of stress, military or not, is at a greater risk. I would think that there would be more proactive programs to prevent individuals from feeling as though suicide is their best (or only) option. However, the reality is vastly different and that makes me sad.

Five years too late, I agree. I worry that no matter what they do it may not be used to the advantage of the soldier as long as soldiers perceive that their record is going to reflect something that will hinder their career. I can hope?

You all are right on, as usual. I don't know if the stigma of reaching out for help will ever go away. In researching for this post, I found a statistic that showed men are more four times less likely than women to seek help for depression. Add to that a man that is in the military, and there's a recipe for disaster. How to find those people, I don't know. Meanwhile, we keep reading in the civilian world about fathers killing their families in murder/suicide. You said it, carolmac - how could circumstances ever be that dire? I just cannot imagine.

I keep hearing that the military is trying to de-stigmatize seeking help but it doesn't seem to be working. I know intelligent people who are among those telling more junior service members to seek help who won't seek help themselves for fear of career impact. How does that even make sense?

All I can say is, if you know someone who needs to seek counseling, or who might need medication, just keep encouraging them (GENTLY) to seek the help they need. Let them know there is no weakness in getting help, that it takes a strong person to admit that they can't do it alone. And be patient with them.

Marine Wife - that is an excellent point, and probably one of the biggest challenges in addressing this issue. it does not make sense. At all. .......... Rita - good advice, and thanks for sharing it.

I have to say, the Army's attitude toward PTSD, counseling, etc. has actually improved since my husband was deployed for Desert Shield/Desert Storm. There wasn't any type of help at all back then. One of the hardest things I have seen lately is two soldiers who had to leave the Army not only for PTSD related issues, but because their wives are suffering from PTSD, also, by proxy. It affects the whole family. Soldiers are not fully prepared, mentally, and their wives are not receiving the support they desperately need to get through deployments and post deployments. Is it because they are not seeking help? Is the help not provided? Are the soldiers missing some training that could better equip their minds for the things they are about to experience? Should FRG's have remained FSG's...(the Army took that "support" out)? I don't have any answers to that...In my experiences, I do know that resources are available, but not in the quantity that this Post needs. I know that sometimes they are not utilized because of the consequences that may befall a soldier who is labeled with an issue. So many times the attitude for a soldier is to "suck it up and drive on." I agree with Rita. I always give people the Military Onesource phone # and website, too. They have trained people on call 24/7 to help with the smallest to the largest of problems. What else can we do?

Excellent comments, kinters_girl. I think I'll do a post on the idea of PTSD by proxy. A psychiatrist in Tampa did a study on that very thing. I hadn't thought about the whole idea of the FRG vs. FSG, but that is also a good point. As much as things have become more formalized in the area of family support, in some ways it also seems it has in some ways become less personal.