Do You Know About Military Suicides

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 21:43:54 -0400

The demographics of military suicide
Jonn Lilyea | April 2, 2015

Let me begin by saying that even one suicide by a veteran or active duty member of the military is an absolute tragedy. Bobo sends us a link to an Reuters article about the study that was recently conducted by researchers at Joint Base Lewis McChord. Mark Reger of the group told Reuters;

Suicide rates were similar regardless of deployment status. There were 1,162 suicides among those who deployed and 3,879 among those who didn’t, representing suicide rates per 100,000 person-years of 18.86 and 17.78, respectively.

Leaving the military significantly increased suicide risk, however, with a suicide rate of 26.06 after separating from service compared with 15.12 per 100,000 for those who remained in uniform. Those who left sooner had a greater risk, with a rate of 48.04 per 100,000 among those who spent less than a year in the military.

Service members with a dishonorable discharge were about twice as likely to commit suicide as those who had an honorable separation.

“This is the first time such a huge, comprehensive study has found an increased suicide risk among those who have separated from service, particularly if they served for less than four years or had an other than honorable discharge…”

The researchers also tie in gun ownership to the suicide rate, but that is to be expected – what they don’t filter out is the number of suicides from methods other than firearms. Also they skim over the part where military members sometimes bring baggage from civilian life to the military with them. To me, the folks who are forced out early are in that group because they have difficulty adjusting to the military – which would explain why that group is twice as likely to kill themselves than those who deployed. Maybe the pentagon ought to look into making everyone deploy in order to take advantage of therapeutic benefits.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2015 9:55 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 21:55:55 -0400

I found some information about this subject and thought I would share it with you. Both of the helicopter pilots I flew with, committed suicide. One was a retired COL and the other was a retired CW-5. We reunited at a helicopter crew reunion in 2001. They were both happy, funny, and had a hell of a lot of good memories. They never talked about their tours or anything about Vietnam. They were both in their 70's, retired from civilian life, and you would think they were all set to live out their lives with their families. I can't describe how much it hurt to get an email from their wives telling me they committed suicide. They were one year apart suicides. I don't know if because one did it, it hurt the other one so much he couldn't live anymore. They were best friends and had kept in touch with each other all the time. I've tried twice, but they were a no go. I especially thought about it after the news that they were dead. I guess God wasn't ready for me.

Response by SPC David S. made Apr 2 at 2015 11:09 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 23:09:05 -0400

Very interesting i'm curious if the disparity is the result of two independent factors. I like to see numbers on those that deployed knowing someone KIA. Maybe the deployment and possibly losing a friend drives one to have a greater appreciation for life. The more time deployed you would expect this rate to go down if this is the case as more hardship is likely. For the less time in service non-deployed one might not of had time to acquire this appreciation for life in not having gone through the ringer and forged in away by that type of experience. I think it might be a matter of lust for life. For me personally having lost a couple of friends while I never deployed I certainly think about my actions and reflect more on my opportunities. The other factor is really all other external factors such as predisposition genetically, drinking and or drug abuse, and all the other external factors that typically play a part the general population. Maybe like you have stated and while it might seem counter intuitive surviving deployment is the best cure.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 2 at 2015 11:54 PM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 23:54:20 -0400

Interesting article (I read it this AM via the early bird). It says deployments are not a factor in suicides, which is a new finding with regards to suicides... But, it gets us no closer to how to solve this issue than the Army Red Book and Army Yellow book did. We have spent millions of dollars and hours trying to get ahead of this, and we are still not gaining ground.

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made Sep 20 at 2015 8:12 AM

SSG Paul Setterholm — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 08:12:53 -0400

http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/323-95/22878-1892-us-veterans-are-thought-to-have-committed-suicide-since-january-1-2014

1,892 US Veterans Are Thought to Have Committed Suicide Since January 1, 2014

'Nearly 1,900 military veterans are thought to have taken their own lives in just 2014 alone, according to an estimate from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.' Paul Szoldra, Business Insider

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 25 at 2015 1:19 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 13:19:13 -0400

I am assuming many who were dishonorably discharged had PTSD and screwed up one too many times for a medical discharge. Is there explanation why non-deployed has such a high suicide rate?