Army should take better care of soldiers' mental health
Hannah Alexander
Issue date: 2/20/09 Section: Ed-Op
On Feb. 5, Yahoo News reported, "The Army is investigating an unexplained and stunning spike in suicides in January." I do not believe, however, that this spike is unexplained. In fact, I think there are several explanations as to why the increase in Army suicides has occurred.
For January 2009, the Army is investigating 24 potential suicides, six times the number it was for January 2008. The U.S. Army also announced there were a total of 128 suicides in 2008, the highest since the Army began keeping track in 1980.
Army Secretary Peter Geren said to ABC News, "Why do the numbers keep going up? We cannot tell you."
However, there are likely several factors that have driven so many soldiers to take their own lives. And to investigate these factors is no small task for the U.S. Army, because behind most of these suicides is a family with a wife and children.
For me, life in the Army seems unimaginable. My daily routine compared to a soldier's is quite demure and calm. In a nutshell, I go to classes, study, and hang out with my friends. There is no one ordering me around or telling me what to do. I sleep soundly at night, without any interruption. And when I need help for whatever reason, I can think of ten different people on the spot to ask.
You are pushed beyond your limits mentally, physically and emotionally. Soldiers deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq are thrust into a high-intensity environment and put under an extreme amount of pressure.
They are separated from their families and friends - but they must remain strong. There is no weakness and no time for tears. There is only the will to fulfill their duty - the necessity to fight through everything, no questions asked. And even when a soldier manages to survive and come home again, he or she cannot be the same person.
"It's impossible not to be changed by going to war," Dr. Deborah Warden, national director for the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, said.
For January 2009, the Army is investigating 24 potential suicides, six times the number it was for January 2008. The U.S. Army also announced there were a total of 128 suicides in 2008, the highest since the Army began keeping track in 1980.
Army Secretary Peter Geren said to ABC News, "Why do the numbers keep going up? We cannot tell you."
However, there are likely several factors that have driven so many soldiers to take their own lives. And to investigate these factors is no small task for the U.S. Army, because behind most of these suicides is a family with a wife and children.
For me, life in the Army seems unimaginable. My daily routine compared to a soldier's is quite demure and calm. In a nutshell, I go to classes, study, and hang out with my friends. There is no one ordering me around or telling me what to do. I sleep soundly at night, without any interruption. And when I need help for whatever reason, I can think of ten different people on the spot to ask.
You are pushed beyond your limits mentally, physically and emotionally. Soldiers deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq are thrust into a high-intensity environment and put under an extreme amount of pressure.
They are separated from their families and friends - but they must remain strong. There is no weakness and no time for tears. There is only the will to fulfill their duty - the necessity to fight through everything, no questions asked. And even when a soldier manages to survive and come home again, he or she cannot be the same person.
"It's impossible not to be changed by going to war," Dr. Deborah Warden, national director for the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Joe
posted 2/24/09 @ 10:14 AM EST
Is it possible that Obama's inauguration is to blame for a sudden spike? Maybe they were some of the few that actually noticed the brainwashing that is going on. (Continued…)
Russ Jones
posted 11/13/09 @ 5:30 PM EST
You might want to check out this article: Group launches soldier suicide prevention tool
LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Center for Bible Engagement (CBE), a leading research and development think tank that promotes relationship with God through regular Bible engagement, is launching 411God Hope for the Heroes, a "high-touch, high-tech" suicide prevention tool designed to reach at-risk service men and women with daily 60-second inspirational mobile phone messages. (Continued…)
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