The High Rate of Suicide in the U.S. Military

The United States Military is challenged with the enormous duty of protecting its citizens and the foreign interests of the United States around the world. It is also challenged with statistics indicating that its soldiers have the highest rates of suicides than any other group of people. United States (U.S.) in the past twelve years was involved in two major conflicts, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The rates at which military members are taking their own lives have increased when compared to suicide rates before the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. There is consensus regarding this fact both in military findings and non-governmental agencies. However, what is puzzling everyone is why are these soldiers committing suicide? The second question is how can they be prevented? There have been many critical studies done, articles written, and theologies addressing possible causes. Most scholars recognized that understanding why the U.S. military is more susceptible to commit suicides is critical for implementing successful prevention programs. However, this is a rather complex endeavor and involves not only the medical community but the internal structure of the military and how it is operated. The one common denominator that these victims at one time served in the United States Military cannot be ignored.

Since the beginning of the Iraq and the Afghanistan wars suicides within the military has exceeded the number of deaths by soldiers in combat. After WWI and WWII the suicide rate actually decreased, and though the Vietnam War carried the stigma of being the suicide war, this has since been disproven (McCarl). The suicide numbers in the Vietnam War were skewed because of pictures painted by the media which emphasized this perception and erroneous data calculations. Admittedly, the statistics from prior years are not as precise as the data from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The rate of suicide in the military since 2004 for the first time in history is higher than that of the general public (Bryan, Jennings, and Jobes). This is of critical concern to the mental health community.

News media headlines read that more than twenty-two veterans take their lives daily. It alludes that most of those involved are from America’s most recent two wars (Basu). However, an important statistic discovered by the California Department of Health in 2010 based on WWII veterans indicates that the suicide rates among these veterans were twice that of Iraq and Afghanistan military (McCarl). These are veterans now in their eighties and above. Therefore, these numbers may be inclusive of all veterans and not only those involved in the most recent conflicts. However, these wars take center stage as the sad stories of young sons and daughters are told. Basu states in her article that the statistics, though high, are underreported. There is no centralized method for capturing this data. The current number of twenty-two suicide deaths per day is based on data from the Department of Veterans Affairs released in February 2013. This list represents just twenty-one states reporting data between 1999 and 2011. This represents only forty percent of the states and leaves out Texas, California, and Illinois who did not report any data (Basu). Considering underreporting of sixty percent, these suicide rates may be much higher indicating a more expansive problem.

The number one question on everyone’s mind is why are so many members of the military committing suicide? The commonality of service in the military has been established. Some other common factors pointed out in by Dao and Lehren are: “mental illness, sexual or physical abuse, addictions, failed relationships, financial struggles” (2). Carri Leigh Goodwin, a marine, was raped in 2007 by a fellow soldier and never reported it. She was later dishonorably discharged from the marines stating a mental disorder. Goodwin also did not tell her family what happened and she later died as a result of alcohol poisoning exacerbated by a prescription drug. Her father later found her diary and discovered the rape and that she was suicidal and that the alcohol poisoning was most likely intentional (Basu). There are many such stories, different facts, but the same end result.

The military, though aware that its soldiers are susceptible to mental breakdowns due to combat conditions, has not been proactive enough in helping these soldiers appropriately handle themselves. The advances in medicine over the years have resulted in more soldiers surviving battlefield injuries. One would not consider this a contributing factor to increased suicides, however, combat injuries that involve the brain, such as loud explosive blasts that cause hearing loss in one or both ears, frequent concussions, combined with the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a formula for suicides (McCarl). These brain injuries are sometimes diagnosed while the soldiers are in active duty; however, the results of documented diagnosis can be the reasons why help is not forthcoming. A diagnosis of PTSD while on active duty has resulted in a discharge from the military for other reasons other than honorable. When this happens these veterans are not provided with medical benefits so desperately needed. These veterans are now responsible for their own mental health and are susceptible to becoming burdens for their local communities. The increase in lives saved results in more severe mental health issues.

Another reason for the sharp rise in suicides is the increase in the number of military recruited from the National Guards and the Reserves pressed in combat service. The pre-Iraq and Afghanistan rate was eighteen percent of this group called for active duty, now that number has increased to forty percent and so did the number of suicides (McCarl). Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan were exposed to combat more frequently than in other wars, and those exposed to combat duty have a higher incidence of suicides. “The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has reported that increases in the diagnosis of mental disorders are the result of increasing deployment, especially post-traumatic stress disorder” (MacEgan). However, this reason alone is inadequate. Unfortunately, soldiers are not given a chance to recover from the mental and emotional challenges of combat, before they are sent out for another tour. This increases the incidence of mental health disorders.

Mental health issues throughout America’s wars have been misdiagnosed as exhaustion. These soldiers are then medicated so that they can return to combat duty as soon as possible. McCarl notes, “In fact, the Vietnam War was the first war in which medical personnel administered significant amounts of drugs to those serving in Vietnam to keep the servicemen fighting” (409). When these same soldiers return home, they are no longer on these powerful drugs and the long term effect is been played out in varying degrees, the worst suicide. America’s soldiers are people from all walks of life and from diverse backgrounds. Just ordinary people thrust into active duty without significant preparation in the horrors of war. Several studies have linked military suicides to PTSD. However, many soldiers consider this a stigma and are reluctant to seek the help they need. To make the problem worse, too often the victim cannot receive the help they need because of laws, rules and regulations practiced by the U.S. Military. PTSD was diagnosed after the Vietnam War. In 1968 the American Psychiatric Association removed this describe mental condition from their treatise; this was done to decrease the financial impact of the war in Vietnam (McCarl). These actions point to the government being more concerned about costs than lives.

When citizens enlist in the military they are subject to a different set of laws and regulations. This is known as the Uniform Code of Military Justice (McCarl). This means that the military can be charged for offenses in the military that non-military are not subject to, for example, adultery is punishable. Moreover, when someone is dishonorably discharged from service, even though the reason for the discharge may be PTSD related or the result of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), veteran’s benefits are denied. These decisions can be the catalyst to push an already mentally unstable soldier over the edge and can make them feel hopeless, helpless and alone. This is not the way to treat those who have put their lives in jeopardy for their country. These are the types of regulations that need to be changed in order to support those who are suffering from PTSD and TBI.

There is no comprehensive database that strategically tracks the suicides of the military and the data of its victims. Unfortunately, this contributes to the dilemma of how to treat this complex problem. The news media and their report high incidents of military suicides may have an adverse effect on those who have suicidal thoughts. Langford, Litts, and Pearson suggest an approach to navigating suicide prevention is greater communication to military members. Currently, the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration represent only a small percentage of suicide prevention messages. Other messages are communicated by many other organizations, some of which are affiliated with government services and others that are all civilian directed. A strong strategic scientific anti-suicidal communication is believed to be a strong preventative method (Langford and David Litts). The suggestion is that these messages are not only directed toward those that are at risk, but also those they are most likely to come in contact with. Many parents of children who have committed suicide lament that they were unaware of what symptoms to look for. Therefore this is a missing component of what the military can do to help families address suicide prevention.

There are several organizations conducting studies and implementing programs directed at preventing or at least better understanding military suicides. The United States Department of Defense (DoD) in 2010 initiated a three-year study on the details of military suicide and also incorporated information from other studies which is planned to be merged into an information database that will be available to those who make policies. The United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) was able to secure data from forty-nine states on veteran suicides. The VA and The Center for Disease Control are now sharing information. In addition, the VA is now reviewing its own medical records (McCarl). These important data-gathering steps are targeted as a means to decipher reasons for the dramatic increases in suicide-related deaths.

The alarm, however, has been sounded and programs for suicide are being implemented within government and non-governmental agencies. The VA and the DoD are responsible for programs to help veterans transition to the return home. This is a very difficult transition for many. After the initial excitement of returning home, the reality of taking care of a family, starting or finding work, and relearning inter-personal skills which may have lapse while in service are sometimes overwhelming. The programs offered by VA and DoD help with finance, job placement, and re-entry into the community. In the beginning, these programs were not available to Reservist and National Guard members who had been in combat. Thankfully, the program has been extended to included benefits for these veterans as well. Other agencies and organizations that have stepped up to assist veterans are the U.S. Military Endowment, Veteran Service Organizations, and non-for profits. The VA also has instituted a suicide prevention hotline. The effectiveness of this hotline is not known because some feel there are too many of them. But, the VA in the last few years has made significant strides in saving lives by keeping the issue at the forefront and keeping a dialogue open, upgrading and initiating new programs.

The discussions about military suicide are valid. While professional’s interpretation of the statistic varies, they all agree that there is a problem. The study by Lindsay McCarl is the most comprehensive. McCarl’s information is well researched, and the sources used are reliable and valid. The approach to incorporated WWI through the most recent Iraq and Afghanistan wars lends credibility to the claims of increased military suicides. However, in McCarl’s study, it was not clear, if he felt the increase in suicides was a direct result of the two most recent wars or if the increase also included WWII. He cited a California study of WWII veterans which indicated that they were committing suicide at a rate of twice that of Iraq and Afghanistan soldiers (McCarl).

Basu from CNN news, whose headline stated that more than twenty-two U. S. servicemen were committing suicide daily, seems to implicate recent servicemen. However, McCarl’s study indicated that this number was inclusive of all U.S. servicemen. One fact that cannot be denied is that the increases in the rates of military suicides coincide with the Iraq and the Afghanistan wars. The heartbreaking stories printed in today’s news media, and recounted in Basu and McCarl’s reports are of soldiers who served in these wars.

The interesting question is why is everyone puzzled about the cause of increases in military suicides? The military and its practices may be the main culprits. For example, many people join the Reserves and the National Guards because of great benefits as touted on its website: “a steady income, paid vacation, training, and healthcare, the GI Bill, and tuition assistance are a few” (Guard and Reserve Frequently Asked Questions). The expectations twelve years ago did not involve multiple combat deployments to foreign countries. Even the regular military was not prepared to encounter the frequency of battlefield deployments. These deployments predictably impacted many soldiers in ways that had not been accounted for. These soldiers were unprepared to be given drugs and not treatment when diagnosed with mental disorders so that they can go back into combat and fight. Some of those who committed suicide were also facing redeployment.

When the Military changed the way it fought wars, these changes also impacted those who had to implement them. The results are veterans who suffer from not only PTSD and TBI but also depression and anxiety. Also imagine the vertical and horizontal implications causing stress on families, friends and social services. The conclusion is that the U.S. Military should take responsibility in a meaningful way. This should possibly start at the recruiting office. In addition, the current dialogue should continue and the programs already in force to support and address the needs of America’s military members should also continue. Congress and policymakers should be aggressive in changing policies that hinder treatment. The military culture is a difficult one. Someone who understands it is probably best trained to treat and avoid its fatalities.

Annotated Bibliography

Basu, Moni. "Why suicide rate among veterans may be more than 22 a day." CNN Web. 14 November 2013.

This article tries to address the reasons for a rise in suicide rates of United States Military. The conclusion is that there are many variables that contribute to this phenomenon. There is not a specific reason, but a combination of factors from relationship disappointment to substance abuse.

Bryan, Craig J., et al. "Understanding and Preventing Military Suicide." Archives Of Suicide Research 16.2 (2012): 95-110. EBSCO Web. 3 March 2014

These authors examine how the infusion of the military culture should be included as an important strategy for determining the causes of suicide.

Langford, Linda ScD and OD, and Jane L. Pearson, PhD David Litts. “Using Science to Improve Communications About Suicide Among Militaryand Veteran Populations: Looking for a Few Good Messages.” American Journal Of Public 103.1 (2013): 31-38. EBSCO Web. 3 March 2014

The authors emphasize media messages and the multitudes of different opinions surrounding increased military suicide rates are actually contributing to the problem. Combating this problem involves strategy from a more define scientific methodology to include enhanced critical analysis.

McCarl, L. I. “‘To Have No Yesterday’: The Rise of Suicide Rates in the Military and Among Veterans.” Creighton Law Review 46.3 (2013): 393-432. EBSCO Web. 3 March 2014

This article references the rise in suicide rates resulting from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. It discusses that the government does not have sufficient data to accurately determine the reasons for increased suicides, and not enough preventative methods and support for veterans are in place.

Tanner, Lindsey. "Combat Has Little Or No Influence On Suicide Rates Among U.S. Troops And Veterans: Study." Web. 06 August 2013. The Huffington Post.

As many seek to determine why the suicide rate is so high among the U.S. Military, the article points out that soldiers that have seen combat are not anymore susceptible to suicide than any other soldier.

Works Cited

Basu, Moni. “Why suicide rate among veterans may be more than 22 a day.” CNN 14 November 2013. Web.

Bryan, Craig J., et al. “Understanding and Preventing Military Suicide.” Archives Of Suicide Research 16.2 (2012): 95-110. EBSCO Web. 3 March 2014.

Dao, James and Andrew Lehren. “Baffling Rise in Suicides Plagues the U.S. Military.” The New York Times 15 May 2013: A1. EBSCO Web. 3 March 2014.

“Guard and Reserve Frequently Asked Questions.” 2014. Military.com. Web. 06 03 2014.

Langford, Linda ScD, David Litts, OD, and Jane L. Pearson, PhD. “Using Science to Improve Communications About Suicide Among Military and Veteran Populations: Looking for a Few Good Messages.” American Journal Of Public 103.1 (2013): 31-38. EBSCO Web. 3 March 2014.

MacEgan, Matthew. “Marked increase in US military suicides.” 09 August 2013. World Socialist Web Site.Web.

McCarl, Lindsay I. ‘“To Have No Yesterday”: The Rise of Suicide Rates in the Military and Among Veterans.” Creighton Law Review 46.3 (2013): 393-432. EBSCO Web. 3 March 2014.

Tanner, Lindsey. “Combat Has Little Or No Influence On Suicide Rates Among U.S. Troops And Veterans: Study.” 06 August 2013. The Huffington Post. Web.