The US Army is investigating the alarming number of suicides that occurred within the branch in January.
Wired PR News.com – An investigation into the suspected suicides of members of the Army occurring last month has begun after reports proved to be alarming. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), a suspected 24 suicides were stated to have occurred in January, a dramatic increase from the five occurring in January of 2008.
As noted in the report, the number of suicide deaths has risen over the past few years as soldiers continue to be subjected to long and repetitive terms in Iraq and Afghanistan. Army leaders provided a report on the issue to leaders in Congress on Thursday.
The Army and the National Institute of Mental Health reportedly made an agreement in October to research mental and behavioral health issues of members of the military and find solutions for necessary intervention during a five year study. Army Vice Chief of Staff General Peter Chiarelli is quoted in the AP report as stating, “The trend and trajectory seen in January further heightens the seriousness and urgency that all of us must have in preventing suicides.”
