Suicide Among U.S. Troops At Highest Level
By: Web Producer
Updated: May 30, 2008
Suicide Among U.S. Troops At Highest Level Since 1980
(Washington, DC) -- Suicides among active duty troops reached its highest level on record last year.
According to the Army, 115 soldiers killed themselves in 2007, marking a 12-point-seven-percent rise from the 102 suicides documented in 2006.
Its the highest number of actual suicides in the military since record-keeping began in 1980.
However, the Army said the statistics dont show a direct link between repeated deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and the rise in suicides.
They did admit that stresses caused by wartime operations are taking their toll on soldiers.
An Army psychologist cited breakups, long months away from home, the horrors of combat and quick access to loaded weapons.
(Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions)
RNS-05-30-08 0258CDT
