Soldier Suicides at Record Level

Soldier Suicides at Record Level

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Whiteside's personal tragedy is part of an alarming phenomenon in the Army's ranks: Suicides among active-duty soldiers in 2007 reached their highest level since the Army began keeping such records in 1980, according to a draft internal study obtained by The Washington Post. Last year, 121 soldiers took their own lives, nearly 20 percent more than in 2006.

At the same time, the number of attempted suicides or self-inflicted injuries in the Army has jumped sixfold since the Iraq war began...

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Ritchie's team conducted more than 200 interviews in the United States and overseas, and found that the common factors in suicides and attempted suicides include failed personal relationships; legal, financial or occupational problems; and the frequency and length of overseas deployments. She said the Army must do a better job of making sure that soldiers in distress receive mental health services. "We need to know what to do when we're concerned about one of our fellows."

Yeah, well maybe if so much money didn't end up in the greedy hands of KBR and Blackwater, more of it could be spent on these programs to help the troops.

It is just another bullet point in the long list of inequities and injustices in this ridiculous war. We make the money, and YOU pay the price. With your life.

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(visit the link for the full news article)