Army: Suicide rate among soldiers continues on record pace

Army: Suicide rate among soldiers continues on record pace - CNN.com

The suicide rate among soldiers continues to rise. Several sources have suggested to me that the first two deployments are generally tollerable. It is the third during which many soldiers begin to suffer from significant effects of trauma.

In this story, Fort Hood is singled out for having a "Focus On Family" program that emphasizes the connection between the soldier and the family on leave. Every soldier on a day schedule leaves work in time to be home for dinner by 6 p.m.. On Thursday, many are told to leave by 3 p.m. so they can have the afternoon with the family. And no one at Ft. Hood works on weekends unless the base commander signs off on it.

It is a start.

House Committee Holds Roundtable to Address Issues Confronting Women Veterans

Service Women’s Action Network � military women: "House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Holds Roundtable to Address Issues Confronting Women Veterans"

At last some good news. Keep your eye on this one...

BBC: US Women at war face sexual violence

BBC NEWS | Americas | Women at war face sexual violence:

"In her new book, The Lonely Soldier: The Private War of Women Serving in Iraq, Helen Benedict examines the experience of female soldiers serving in the US military in Iraq and elsewhere.

"Here, in an article adapted from her book, she outlines the threat of sexual violence that women face from their fellow soldiers while on the frontline, and provides testimony from three of the women she interviewed for her book."

RAND | News Release | One In Five Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Suffer from PTSD or Major Depression

RAND | News Release | One In Five Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Suffer from PTSD or Major Depression: "One In Five Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Suffer from PTSD or Major Depression

Nearly 20 percent of military service members who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan — 300,000 in all — report symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder or major depression, yet only slightly more than half have sought treatment, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

In addition, researchers found about 19 percent of returning service members report that they experienced a possible traumatic brain injury while deployed, with 7 percent reporting both a probable brain injury and current PTSD or major depression."

Returning Vets Seen As Potential Threats

From: World News Daily

Reporting on a recent report of the Missouri Information Analysis Center.

Homeland Security on guard for 'right-wing extremists': "A newly unclassified Department of Homeland Security report warns against the possibility of violence by unnamed 'right-wing extremists' concerned about illegal immigration, increasing federal power, restrictions on firearms, abortion and the loss of U.S. sovereignty and singles out returning war veterans as particular threats."

Iraq vets and post-traumatic stress: No easy answers - CNN.com

Iraq vets and post-traumatic stress: No easy answers - CNN.com: 

"According to the latest Pentagon study, published in 2004, about one in six veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan suffers from PTSD, depression or anxiety. Learn more about PTSD

A more recent RAND Corp. study, released in April this year, found that nearly 20 percent -- or one in five returning war veterans -- reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or major depression. But, only slightly more than half of them sought treatment, the study found.

That compares with a prevalence of 4 percent for the general U.S. population, according to a 2005 study in the Archives of General Psychiatry."

Suicide Attempts for Vets Jump 500% in Five Years

Suicide Attempts for Vets Jump 500% in Five Years, and Government Ignores It : 

"This year, in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 7-13), the Army chose the theme 'Shoulder-to-Shoulder: No Soldier Stands Alone,' 'to emphasize the strength of the Army Family when it works together to tackle tough problems.'

It has not been a good week for the Army Family in spite of the special attention."