Army Taking Action to Stem Rising Suicide Rates

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Army Taking Action to Stem Rising Suicide Rates
American Forces Press Service | Donna Miles | February 01, 2008

WASHINGTON -- With Army suicides on the rise -- approaching rates for the same demographic among civilians -- Army officials are evaluating their programs to see what more can be done to stop the escalation. During 2006, 102 active-duty soldiers committed suicide, the highest number since the last large-scale military deployment, in 1990 and 1991, Army Col. (Dr.) Elspeth Cameron Ritchie, psychiatric consultant to the Army surgeon general, said during a media roundtable today.

That's a rate of 17.5 per 100,000, a dramatic spike from 12.8 per 100,000 in 2005 and the highest rate since 1980, Ritchie said. This compares with the 19.9 per 100,000 rate among military-age civilian males.

All indications show the 2007 rates will be at least as high as in 2006 and probably higher. So far, 89 suicides have been confirmed during 2007, and another 32 active-duty deaths are being investigated, Ritchie said.

Meanwhile, there's an equally troubling spike in suicide attempts, which surged beyond 2,000 in 2007 from about 1,400 the previous year and about 350 in 2002. Ritchie conceded the rate is on the rise, but probably not as dramatically as the numbers alone indicate. She cited better compliance with reporting requirements and new electronic medical records that make data easier to capture with boosting the numbers.

Army officials said they're alarmed about the increase, particularly in light of initiatives already under way to prevent suicides through training and education, outreach and mental health screenings. The Army has made broad strides in improving access to mental health care, both in combat theaters and at home stations, and in working to overcome the stigma associated with seeking care, she said.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,161215,00.html