The number of suicides committed in the U.S. Army continues to grow. As many as 121 servicemen committed suicide in 2007, which marked the increase of more than 20 percent as opposed to 2006.
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| U.S. soldiers continue to commit suicides bidding farewell to their patriotism |
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 BREAKING NEWS |
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Suicides continue to overshadow the army service in the United States despite numerous efforts taken during the recent years to improve the mental state of American servicemen. Many of them make a decision to bid farewell to this world because of the never-ending wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Eighty-nine suicides were confirmed in 2007, whereas 32 deaths were suspected suicides still under investigation, documents from the Army’s psychiatry consultant said.
More than a quarter of those U.S. soldiers committing suicide decided to end their lives being no longer able to stand the war in Iraq. The report also indicates an increase in the number of attempted suicides and self-inflicted injuries – about 2,100 in 2007 compared to less than 1,500 in the previous year.
The total of 121 suicides last year, if all are confirmed, would be double the 52 reported in 2001, before the Sept. 11 attacks prompted the Bush administration to launch its counter-terror war.
Officials said the rate of suicides per 100,000 active duty soldiers has not yet been calculated for 2007. But in a half million-person active duty Army, the 2006 toll of 101 translated to a rate of 17.5 per 100,000, the highest since the Army started counting in 1980, officials said. The rate has fluctuated over those years, with the low being 9.1 per 100,000 in 2001, the AP reports.
Most likely, soldiers commit suicide over their inability to cope with symptoms of the so-called Gulf War Syndrome. It is an illness reported by combat veterans of the 1991 Persian Gulf War typified by symptoms including immune system disorders and birth defects. It is not clear whether these symptoms were the consequence of Gulf War service, or if the occurrence of illnesses in Gulf War veterans is higher than comparable populations.
Symptoms attributed to this syndrome have been wide-ranging, including chronic fatigue, loss of muscle control, headaches, dizziness and loss of balance, memory problems, muscle and joint pain, indigestion, skin problems, shortness of breath, and even insulin resistance. Brain cancer deaths, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease) and fibromyalgia are now recognized by the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments as potentially connected to service during the Gulf War.
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