On Thursday, May 29, an official with the United States Army released the following report: back in 2007, there were at least 115 reported suicides amongst active Army, National Guard, and Army Reserve. It was a slight increase over the rate reported back in 2006, which was at 102. But, the official that gave the information spoke anonymously due to the report being released later in the day.
The report also adds that twenty-five to thirty suicides at least were reported to have taken place while being deployed to Iraq. However, nothing is in concrete at the moment. Everything regarding the amount of suicides this year is still being investigated.
CBS News and the Washington Post did a joint investigation back in late January. The investigation revealed that the rate of suicide attempts amongst troops in the Army has dramatically increased and became a major problem. While the number of suicide attempts is climbing, the number of successful suicides is too increasing. In regards to the Army, the rate of suicides is at a new high.
Also, the reports show that during the fighting in both Iraq and Afghanistan, the rate of suicides has risen. There is also the irony because there have been many initiatives and efforts launched to help those cope with the stress of having served long durations and repeated tours of duty. While there are many efforts, the rate of suicides seems to continue adding up.
Various veterans groups have already filed a lawsuit with the Department of Veterans Affairs for failing to prevent suicides amongst troops that have returned home from the war zone.
There is the highly likely chance that the issue of attempted and successful suicides will be brought up as a heavy issue in regards to Iraq and Afghanistan in the 2008 US Presidential race.
This could be used as ammunition against presumed GOP nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona, whose main campaign platform has been Iraq.
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