Paul Rieckhoff Discusses Spike in Army Suicides

[velvett37]

I also want to add that the length of time that some soldiers serve in warzone is absurd. Families have hard times withstanding 12-15 months away from home, only to return home with a different mindset and misery.The wives and children become accustomed to living on their own without the patriarch of the family. Nothing is the same for all people involved and they wonder why soldiers crash and burn when they return.The family they left has changed & their mindset has changed.Treated as robots.

[velvett37]

As the wife of a veteran that served 6 times in Iraq and 2 times in Afghanistan.I will tell you that it is not so easy to seek help and spill your guts to the very people that send you to the warzone. If you fly, you are grounded, losing flight pay. If you are within a ground troop then you are given a desk job. Not an easy task for when trained as a warrior. The stigma is not held secret either.If you are having troubles I can guarantee that your fellow soldiers will know something is going on.

[RoyalDog214]

You can call...hmm...

Operator: Thank You for calling Suicide Prevention Hotline, Please Hold.

5 minutes later.

Operator: Our services are very busy today, please hold.

10 minutes later.

Operator: I'm sorry but we're close for today.

[mariephoto2012]

For some; they are not allowed to discuss what and how they are feeling; which leads them to their choice to take their life. Others are driven to it because their command does not have the manpower to allow them time off after the deployments and they cannot relax.

[fbhchewbrocoli]

Wow.... I never even thought our men in our Army would be committing suicide, much less doing so much of it. 4/5

[MomDawg057]

This is so sad. Talking about what's wrong is one the best ways to release those awful feelings.