U.S. Army Warns Of Increase In Soldier Suicides

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - More active duty soldiers committed suicide as of the end of August, with confirmed cases hitting 62 and another 31 deaths under investigation.

Because of this alarming trend, Army officials called on military leaders at all levels to increase prevention efforts to stop more suicides as the strain of serving in two wars negatively affect American soldiers.

Given the growing number of suicide incidents, the total number could go beyond the 115 cases logged in 2007, said Col. Eddie Stephens, deputy director of Human Resources Policy, at a Pentagon press conference.

Army Secretary Pete Geren said the military was fully aware that repeated deployment was the cause of higher levels of distress and anxiety for soldiers and their relatives. "The Army is committed to ensuring that all soldiers and their families receive the behavioral health care they need," Geren promised.

Among the measures already put in place to stem the rise in suicide cases were the addition of staff psychiatrists, other mental health workers and chaplains. A new interactive video for deployed troops will be issued and a new program on resilience to basic training was introduced in January.

Brig. Gen. Rhonda Cornum, assistant Army surgeon general, pointed out there is no program that could prevent suicides. Success in preventing suicides is the result of a number of smaller steps taken by the individual and the organization, Cornum said.