Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Soldier Suicides

Last year, more active duty soldiers died from suicide than in the field of combat.  There were 177 documented suicides in 2012, up 54% from 2007.  And even these appalling statistics underestimate the true suicide epidemic when you factor in discharged or retired soldiers.

You will hear calls for increased military spending on mental health resources.  Greater funding will be sought for Defense Department anti-suicide initiatives.   Although certainly warranted, do not think for a moment that simply hiring more psychiatrists and mental health professionals is the solution. 

The solution is to turn away, finally, from Endless War and the permanent occupation of lands and people who resent our presence. 

It's time to bring everyone home from Afghanistan and wherever else young Americans are needlessly placed in harms way. 

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Here is the sick reality. You may hear calls for attention to this problem, but not much will be done about it.

-SCRN

Frank Drackman said...

I'm with you Buckeye, lets end this permanent (US Military) occupation of lands and people who resent our I mean your presence...
i.e. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee.

Frank "SEC RULES" Drackman

Wayne Conrad said...

Yep.

Afghanistan: Where empires go to die.