Army suicide rates still out of control

Fort Drum held a suicide awareness march yesterday, as reported in the Watertown Daily Times. I reported on the inaugural march last year. Suicide rates in the Army – already higher than they’ve been in years – are expected to rise even higher this year.

Reporter Joanna Richards nails the problem with this quote from an anonymous soldier:

But one soldier, who identified himself only as a staff sergeant and refused to give his name for fear of facing retribution, said the taboo associated with mental health treatment for service members is still strong.

“They have the programs, but if you use them, you’re a bitch,” he said. “You won’t gain rank. … You’re seen as weak.”

Despite turning out for the event aimed at encouraging soldiers to seek help if they need it, he said if he ever needed those services, “I wouldn’t go.”

We’ve been covering high suicide rates, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury – by-products of rapid deployment paces while waging wars on two fronts for 8 years – for a long time now.

Each time, many people, including Army brass themselves, blame “the stigma” of seeking mental health counseling that’s pervasive in the Army culture. It’s considered a sign of weakness among strong men and women.

The Army says it’s working hard to eliminate that stigma.

It’s been years now. Rank and file soldiers like the one above (and believe me, he’s not alone) says the stigma’s still there.

At what point do you say the Army’s not doing enough? That it’s failing at its mission to protect the men and women who have put their lives on the line for our country, and now return home desperately needing help yet are scared stiff to seek it out?

Tags: military