Army suicide rate could pass rate for general population this year

[Coramoor]

My take on military suicides, while not backed up by a study or anything, is based on limited experience.

In the 15 months I've been here there has been several suicides and suicide attempts. Some of the attempts were within my unit, thankfully none succeeded and they have all gotten help. Those that did succeed were within my brigade, but I didn't know them or anything.

There has been one issue common to every case. EVERY SINGLE CASE! A cheating female.

What does that mean or how can we fix it? Heck if I know. I just feel bad for anyone that is married or has a girlfriend that thinks she is going to be faithful to him while he is gone.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by Coramoor

I just feel bad for anyone that is married or has a girlfriend that thinks she is going to be faithful to him while he is gone.

I don't know if this is what you're trying to say or not, but every single military wife or girlfriend doesn't cheat on her man when he's deployed. Just wanted to point that out. I've dated military men in the past and I never did.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by Coramoor

There has been one issue common to every case. EVERY SINGLE CASE! A cheating female.

What does that mean or how can we fix it? Heck if I know. I just feel bad for anyone that is married or has a girlfriend that thinks she is going to be faithful to him while he is gone.

When the Marine corp considered not taking any marrieds, folks got very pissed off about it... That was in the mid-90's?

Then the ruling passed that one cannot date or have a relationship with his or her subordinate--one could be court martialed (sp?) then dishonorably discharged. I don't know what that means in terms of pay, but I suspect lower or none and one loses benefits/pension...

I am not sure the "military shrinks" have figured out what kind of medication to give to troops to assist them to dissociate/alienate from significant others and family during combat duty. I don't think I would want to see that kind of troop? Because how do they reintergrated back into society successfully?

My uncle who did 2 tours in Vietnam said that a whole bunch of his friends took psycho pension when more than 25 years after the conflict...

Please remember to keep your focus and when your tour is completed, please use as many resources you can find... I know some veterans who are doing things for you all when your mission is completed... One of them is a "stand down" fair in San Diego.

[kchaptergphib]

I'm understand this is not a positive thing, but I would argue that the military suicide rate probably already IS higher than that of the general population, and has been for a while.
It makes more sense logically- higher stress, arguably more "violent" work than other professions. I mean, if you are carrying around an automatic weapon daily, at the very least you're more armed than the average worker.
I just hope people will continue to start seeing mental health as as important as physical health, so people can try and get the help they need with less stigma. Who wants a physically healthy but emotionally unsound co-worker?!

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by Coramoor

My take on military suicides, while not backed up by a study or anything, is based on limited experience.

In the 15 months I've been here there has been several suicides and suicide attempts. Some of the attempts were within my unit, thankfully none succeeded and they have all gotten help. Those that did succeed were within my brigade, but I didn't know them or anything.

There has been one issue common to every case. EVERY SINGLE CASE! A cheating female.

What does that mean or how can we fix it? Heck if I know. I just feel bad for anyone that is married or has a girlfriend that thinks she is going to be faithful to him while he is gone.

If this were shown to be true statistically, that's still a significant phenomena because cheating occurs quite often in our society and it doesn't lead to suicide most of the time. I'm wondering if some military personnel are relying on that person/relationship to get them through the tough times (sort of like Tom Hanks in Castaway with Helen Hunt) so when that coping mechanism is taken away, there is no other way for them to get through it?

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by AGDee

If this were shown to be true statistically, that's still a significant phenomena because cheating occurs quite often in our society and it doesn't lead to suicide most of the time. I'm wondering if some military personnel are relying on that person/relationship to get them through the tough times (sort of like Tom Hanks in Castaway with Helen Hunt) so when that coping mechanism is taken away, there is no other way for them to get through it?

Maybe and then add easy access to weapons.

I also think that the group is overwhelming young and male probably changes things in a lot of ways. ETA: I mean changes it from the general population, not changes it from previous wars obviously.