Does military lifestyle in general cause more suicide than the general public? Why?

2017-10-30T18:10:37-04:00

I’ve read a couple of articles saying that high numbers of military suicide is not linked to deployment. Rather, service members who have been deployed, and those who have not, are at equal rick of suicide. What are your thoughts? Does military lifestyle in general cause more suicide than the general public? Why? Discuss.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 6:27 PM

2017-10-30T18:27:36-04:00

On average, there are about 121 suicides a day within the United States (per the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention). Of that 121, 22 average daily for Military Members. That is quite a percentage. As to the causes, no one really knows. No one will really know. When I was at FT Irwin from '97 to '00, the base averaged about 1 a month. Some there were reasons known , others there were not. The only ones that really know, are no longer able to tell us.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Oct 30 at 2017 7:31 PM

2017-10-30T19:31:34-04:00

The military, whether having been to combat or not, is a stressful career choice. There is no doubt that the lifestyle and all of the demands that it has on service members probably plays into the rate of suicide. I've known of soldiers who never deployed who went through with the deed because of financial or relationship issues and I've known soldiers who went through with it after deployment for any number of reasons. Life can get hard. Life in service to the military can get harder.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 30 at 2017 7:55 PM

2017-10-30T19:55:04-04:00

22 suicides per day since VA report in 199?= more dead than all the KIA from Korea, Vietnam, GW1 and GWOT, over 160k. Age from 19 to 60+. PTSD, depression, stock market crash, recession= lack of resiliency. Job is stressful, do or die, I served in 4 conflicts, my former troops have multiple deployments, some have 8 or more. It takes a toll on you, I tried suicide once, one of my friends tried 3 times, and have buried several that went suicide by cop. There are times being strong isn't enough, getting help is the key to making it, when you know you have a problem.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 8:04 PM

2017-10-30T20:04:08-04:00

Having being stationed at Schofield Barracks, I honestly, see why it has the highest suicide rate amongst soldiers especially lower enlisted compared to other post.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 11:14 PM

2017-10-30T23:14:37-04:00

A quarter of the military tested positive for a mental disorder of some kind in 2014, with the rate of depression in soldiers being five times higher than civilians. Five. Times. Constant stress leads to depression and suicidal thoughts, well researched. The military is -always- rated one of the most, if not the most, stressful job in America.

So the question is not does the military lifestyle cause more suicides, because the answer is unequivocally "yes." This is very well established. The question should be, how do we give soldiers better coping skills, remove the stigma of counseling and mental health resources, and place this network within reach after soldiers transition to civilian life?

...which there are countless non-profits, military experts, policy analysts, and uniformed military working to answer.

At our level, without a PHD, research position, or senior leadership role...talk to your soldiers. It's that simple.

Response by SSG James Behnke made Oct 31 at 2017 12:49 AM

2017-10-31T00:49:40-04:00

Yes. The culture shock, responsibility, and lack of freedom in general can all be high stressors for those that are unable to adapt easily. The military is an amazing family with a myriad of resources for virtually any problem, whether it be professional, personal, financial, etc... However, many new soldiers are either unaware of these resources or afraid to use them. It is a very sad situation.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Oct 31 at 2017 9:56 AM

2017-10-31T09:56:56-04:00

Look at WHO is committing suicide... what you'll find is the Military is a primary demographic with those people.
"Stats from just one site, un researched or confirmed by me"
Men die by suicide 3.5x more often than women.
White males accounted for 7 of 10 suicides in 2015.
The rate of suicide is highest in middle age — white men in particular.
From another site"Adolescents and young adults have lower mortality than older groups, but suicide is among the top five causes of death for this age group"
"Regardless of age, men—white and American Indian men in particular—have the highest suicide rates."
And another site...Is there really a suicide epidemic in the military?
One for sure is too many, having dealt with the aftermath up close and personally for two completed and three attempts (plus countless ideation events) Im not stranger to suicide...
But here is another view
https://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2013/02/02/but-there-isnt-an-epidemic-of-suicide-in-the-us-military/#35f5c9b22d84

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2017 1:10 PM

2017-10-31T13:10:31-04:00

Many have tried to unravel this puzzle. I will give it a shot:
Many of us have seen war, where we see things that we can't un-see.
Many of us have paid for our many times in the field, staying late, or deployed with an estrangement or a divorce.
Many just have a difficult time adapting to a military culture, especially when separated from their friends and family.
Many have sacrificed truly on the alter of service, coming back physically or mentally damaged.
Many have sought help from the structures that we are taught to seek out, only to get questionable "help" and the 5th degree from our unit when we go to appointments.
Many are prescribed painkillers or psychothropic medications that alter mood or cause addictions.
Many self-prescribe alcohol or other things to cope.

There are many reasons why. This is just what I can come up with in a short time thinking about it.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 8 at 2019 3:21 PM

2019-03-08T15:21:35-05:00

I have a hard time believing deployment is not a variable in suicides.