Suicide

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 8) — The Army today released suicide data for the month of September. Among active-duty Soldiers, there were seven potential suicides. One has been confirmed as a suicide, and six are pending determination of the manner of death. For August, the Army reported 11 potential suicides among active-duty Soldiers. Since the release of that report, four have been confirmed as suicides and seven remain under investigation.

There were 117 reported active-duty Army suicides from January 2009 through September 2009. Of those, 81 have been confirmed, and 36 are pending determination of manner of death. For the same period in 2008, there were 103 suicides among active-duty Soldiers.    » read more »

In an open letter, VFW Commander-in-Chief Glen Gardner is urging his 1.6 million members to help OEF/OIF veterans cope with the stresses of war.

May 29, 2009 -- Dear Comrades:

There is an enemy in our midst that is having a devastating effect on our servicemen and women in the field and at home. That enemy is stress.

Since 9/11, more military personnel and veterans have committed suicide than the total dead from both wars in Iraq and Afghanistan combined, and this tragedy is occurring despite the best of intentions and programs offered by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. That is because the need has overwhelmed the capacity of government and civilian mental health centers. It's also because some people simply refuse to admit they need help.    » read more »

May 27, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today asked Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to fund a $1.2 million study designed to reduce the high rate of suicides among Alaska natives.

In a letter to the Secretary, Murkowski pointed to a study proposed by Commissioner Warren Zapol of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission that would examine the mental and behavioral health issues facing Alaska Native populations living in the Arctic. Zapol’s study would be conducted by the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences.

This new study would seek to determine the specific genes that contribute to major depressive disorders and alcohol abuse leading to targeted treatment options for Alaska Natives.    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Senator Mike Johanns is co-sponsoring legislation to help combat the rise in mental health challenges, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in U.S. troops and veterans. The Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act would require the Department of Defense to increase mental health screenings for military personnel deployed to combat.

"The military is seeing a sharp increase in the number of servicemen and women struggling to cope with their experiences," Johanns said. "Our troops face the rigors of battle and war every day, and we must do a better job of caring for their mental health. Identifying the warning signs when a service member is facing these challenges is an important first step."    » read more »

Seoul -- 21 August 2008 -- In just a few decades, South Korea transformed itself from an impoverished country devastated by war into the world's 13th largest economy. But that dramatic growth has a dark side, some mental health professionals say. South Korea has seen its suicide rate rise sharply, and the nation's youth are at risk. Jason Strother has the story from Seoul.

On the platforms in many of Seoul's subway stations, tall glass gates open and close as passengers enter and exit the train cars.

These barricades are a safety precaution but they were also installed to prevent people from throwing themselves onto the paths of trains. Last year, 23 people in Seoul attempted suicide this way, up from 18 the year before.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, June 2, 2008 – The U.S. general responsible for operations in Baghdad announced today that he is taking proactive measures to prevent soldiers in his command from taking their own lives.

Soldiers are his “top priority,” Army Maj. Gen. Jeffery W. Hammond, commander of Multinational Division Baghdad and the 4th Infantry Division, told Pentagon reporters during a satellite-carried news conference from his Baghdad headquarters.

“We take proactive measures to improve soldier access to mental health care and prevent suicides and identify early symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder,” Hammond pointed out.    » read more »

May 30, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today sent the following letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, calling on him to respond to the increasing rates of suicide and suicide attempts in the Armed Forces. Yesterday, the Army acknowledged that 115 service members had committed suicide in 2007, including 32 soldiers serving in Iraq last year, according to reports.

Barack Obama meets with veterans in Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Photo by Barack Obama campaign (CC)    » read more »

Chicago, IL -- May 29, 2008 -- "Today's news is a tragic reminder of the staggering and ongoing costs of the Iraq war, particularly on our troops and their families. We are more than five years into this war, and the Pentagon and VA are still unprepared to treat the unseen wounds of battle.

We know that incidence of psychological injury increase with each additional tour of duty in Iraq, and that our troops are not getting the support they need. Too many are falling through the cracks because they need help but feel they can't get it.    » read more »

May 6, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - As Congress learns more about the mental health challenges facing veterans and the rate of suicides by veterans, U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, is working with the Majority Leader and his other colleagues to bring S. 2162, the Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008, to the Senate floor.

"The sheer magnitude of mental health challenges facing veterans demonstrates the urgent need to improve VA's mental health system," said Akaka. "The Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act treats veterans' mental health care for what it is: a cost of war."    » read more »

April 22, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, called for the resignation of Dr. Ira Katz, Mental Health Officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs, following reports that Dr. Katz was involved in efforts to cover up the number of veterans attempting suicide. Akaka sent his request by letter to Dr. Michael Kussman, VA's Under Secretary for Health.

US Army Soldier clears palm groves in Buhriz, Iraq: Photo by Staff Sgt. Stacy L. Pearsall    » read more »

Washington Post reports today on record number of soldier suicides last year - highest rate since 1990

January 31, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. - As news reports reveal growing numbers of suicide among soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Barack Obama (D-IL) today introduced major legislation aimed at preventing suicide among active duty members of the military.    » read more »

1/25/2008 -- In the second "Ask Hillary" Web video, Hillary Clinton addressed a question from a voter about the high incidence of depression and suicide among gay teens. The transcript of the exchange is below:

Emily Hawkins, Director of Youth Outreach: Ryan says, "considering the extraordinarily high incidence of depression and suicide among gay teenagers, what action will you, as president, take to encourage a more accepting and healthy educational experience for LGBT teens?"    » read more »

Last November, Harkin's veteran suicide prevention law - named after Iowan Josh Omvig - became law

January 25, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – As recently released data shows growing numbers of suicide among soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq and seeing his Joshua Omvig veteran suicide prevention bill made law, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that he will introduce legislation next week to prevent suicide among active duty members of the military.    » read more »

Chairman urges VA to quickly implement the Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Act

November 7, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following statement regarding President George W. Bush's signing of H.R.327, the Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Act:    » read more »

26 September 2007, Washington (By Ray McDonald) -- Drew Carey said he twice attempted suicide as a young man. Speaking to Access Hollywood host Nancy O'Dell, the 49-year-old comedian said he suffered depression for a long time, and purposely overdosed on pills at age 18 and again in his early 20s.    » read more »