We all know that war is rough on the body and the mind. But what is the status of the mental health of our troops overseas, and what is the US doing about it? As it turns out, pretty much nothing:
* Overall, the number of soldiers who killed themselves last year almost doubled from the 2004 total.
* In 2005, 22 soldiers committed suicide in Kuwait and Iraq, compared with 12 in 2004 and 25 in 2003.
* Although morale among troops remained high, according to the report, a survey of 1,461 soldiers showed higher levels of traumatic combat experiences than in previous years.
* Three out of four soldiers reported knowing someone killed or injured in combat last year or this year, compared with 69% in 2004.
* 55% worried about dying in a roadside explosion last year or this year.
* 17% of troops reported combinations of stress, depression and anxiety, a higher rate than 2004.
* Soldiers who had done multiple tours of duty reported more serious problems.
* Cases of acute stress were reported by 18.4% of soldiers serving at least a second combat tour; 12.5% of soldiers on their first tours reported such problems.
(source)
The case was much the same in 2004, when they claimed that with the rise in suicide rates, the army was going to take an aggressive approach to upping the outreach of mental health provisions and intensifying their suicide prevention efforts (source). This is when they were saying much the same sorts of things, including 27% of troops slipping by during their deployment that had screened positive for depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress. 52% of soldiers then said their morale was low, and 72% said their unit’s morale was low. That’s more than half personally and almost 3/4’s of the army in Iraq reporting low morale overseas, which is simply an unacceptable number.
As of 2005, almost 1,700 servicemembers returning from war had thoughts of hurting themselves, or the belief they’d be better off dead, with 250 of those saying they had those thoughts “a lot”. Nearly 20,000 reported unwanted war recollections and nightmares, with 3,700+ concerned they might hurt or lose control with someone else (source). As recently as a week and a half ago, Jonathan Schulze, a marine who had returned from Iraq, committed suicide after trying to two weeks ago seek treatment for his suicidal ideation and being informed that he was “No. 26″ in line at age 25 (source).
It is difficult sometimes for those who lead normal, healthy lives to understand depression, anxiety, trauma, and suicide. But they exist, both here and in Iraq with our service men and women. The strain of such traumas can be unbearable, and every life lost to suicide is one that could be prevented with proper care and outreach. I for one refuse to ever believe that there will ever be a case of a life taken by suicide that can be labeled “inevitable” or “unavoidable.” In 2001 alone, suicide took the lives of 30,622 (source). We must not stand aside and let it happen to anyone, let alone those who are putting their lives on the line for their country.
The rising suicide rates in Iraq are not showing the hopelessness and pain that this war is causing because they are being allowed to slip quietly by. I wasn’t aware of this issue at all until I watched a program on public television, which gave graphic reports of such things as a soldier going into the latrine for 45 minutes or more with a firearm, and then one time never coming out, or as the Gettysburg Times reported one of the members of their community, 20-year-old Cory Small, was believed to have killed himself in front of a group of other soldiers waiting to use the phone after having made a call to the United States and leaving behind a wife and a 4-year-old son (source).
The issue of the mental health and suicide rates among the servicemembers must not be allowed to sit in the dark any longer. They deserve more respect than to be allowed to go through this suffering without the knowledge and support of the nation who cares so much about them and their sacrifice, regardless of their agreement or disagreement with the war in Iraq. They deserve all the support and care possible to give.
Hi all. I am Jonathan’s oldest Brother, the Marine we are talking about.
Our family has 10 veterans (1 Navy, 5 Army, 3 Marines, 1 Air Force). So believe me….we have experience with the VA and Jon had strong family support.
I’ve seen posts from people asking why Jon did not go right to a civilian hospital. Well, Jon did not have private insurance and the cost to do so would have been even more of a burden to Jon whom did not need anymore issues to worry about, especially with one 6 month daughter and one on the way!
Jon has a long history with the VA. He regulary went to the VA for help, so it’s not like he just showed up and asked to be admitted. Every time he went for evaluations he usually had to wait hours just to even get the chance to see a doctor.
People ask why the family did not do more….we tried hard. At this point the only thing we could have done was lock him up in a room…he was his own man and made his own decisions…this was impossible. Although, Jon came from a strong line of military heritage it was the “So Called” professionals at the VA that should have caught/red flagged the severity of his PTSD! They had several years on record.
Jon was your poster child for PTSD and the Gov. failed him badly. He saw and was involved in some of the worst combat since Vietnam.
From a military family history and die hard patriotic family……we have lost faith for the first time in 70 years.
I’m telling you the VA will cover their backs. I would not believe a word they say. I know first hand WHAT HAPPENED. Shame on them!
How can our government spend 600 BILLION on the war and fund so little on our military heros? I’m almost ashamed to be an American these days.
If your curious ask and I will reply where I can.
Please contact your Congressmen and Senator’s. Express your concerns.
Best regards,
Jon Schulze’s Brother
Query on Jonathan Schulze. Marine who killed homself and the lack of VA help.
I am Jonathan’s oldest Brother, the Marine we are talking about.
Our family has 10 veterans (1 Navy, 5 Army, 3 Marines, 1 Air Force). So believe me….we have experience with the VA and Jon had strong family support.
I’ve seen posts from people asking why Jon did not go right to a civilian hospital. Well, Jon did not have private insurance and the cost to do so would have been even more of a burden to Jon whom did not need anymore issues to worry about, especially with one 6 month daughter and one on the way!
Jon has a long history with the VA. He regulary went to the VA for help, so it’s not like he just showed up and asked to be admitted. Every time he went for evaluations he usually had to wait hours just to even get the chance to see a doctor.
People ask why the family did not do more….we tried hard. At this point the only thing we could have done was lock him up in a room…he was his own man and made his own decisions…this was impossible. Although, Jon came from a strong line of military heritage it was the “So Called” professionals at the VA that should have caught/red flagged the severity of his PTSD! They had several years on record.
Jon was your poster child for PTSD and the Gov. failed him badly. He saw and was involved in some of the worst combat since Vietnam.
From a military family history and die hard patriotic family……we have lost faith for the first time in 70 years.
I’m telling you the VA will cover their backs. I would not believe a word they say. I know first hand WHAT HAPPENED. Shame on them!
How can our government spend 600 BILLION on the war and fund so little on our military heros? I’m almost ashamed to be an American these days.
If your curious ask and I will reply where I can.
Please contact your Congressmen and Senator’s. Express your concerns.
Best regards,
Jon Schulze’s Brother
I know full well what it’s like to not have the finances in order to obtain the medical care needed because of the cost of hospital care. It is as shameful a state of affair as the lack of proper medical care for our troops.
Both sides of my family have done military service, and I know the army hasn’t always done so well when it comes to mental health. The hospital that put him on the waiting list supposedly should have, had such a thing occurred, immediately taken him in and given him care as part of their VA policy. They, however, did not do such. Both the civilian and military sides failed in this, and the price paid was too high.
I send my deepest regards to you for your loss.